My father spent many hours in antiquarian bookstores back in the late 60’s through the 90’s. His library was extensive with bookshelves in every room. [Practically]. His collecting interest was broad and covered many subjects, but mostly of academic nature. The first time that I joined him on a trip, I was probably 10 or …
The famous bookseller H.P. Kraus once stated that bibliography is like ‘a fine-tuned piano’. He certainly made use of this belief evident by his enormous reference library. The first group of his reference library was sold to fellow antiquarian book dealers after he died in 1988. This was followed up a number of subsequent sales …
It is generally claimed that the quality of printing deteriorated during the 17th century because of the massive commercial success of book production. The craft went from producing quality books in the 16th century, to mass production in the 17th. The merit of this claim is partly true but can also be argued. The printing …
I usually attend auctions in the area when time permits. Most auctions are not interesting, but some can be quite a surprise. I went to the preview at a local antique furniture auction some years ago because the description indicated that they would have books. Among the lots marked ‘collectibles’ I found a large folio …
Johann Albert Fabricius, or better known as just Fabricius was a Professor of Eloquence and Practical Philosophy in Hamburg. Various biographical sources have indicated that Fabricius library consisted of over 20,000 books which is quite an achievement. He has been described as one of the most prolific encyclopedic writers of his time period and naturally …
Johann Albert Fabricius (1668-1736), or what it means to have writer’s rash…. Read More »
I just finished Life and Letters of Erasmus by J.A. Froude. It was published by Scribner in 1927. My interest in Erasmus dates back a dozen years when I first The Age of Erasmus by Allen. I have since read a few other biographies as well as various studies. So, Froude went off the list …
