A Modest Collection
Private Libraries Association, 1956-2006
The Private Libraries Association’s latest publication is A Modest Collection: Private Libraries Association, 1956-2006. The first forty pages chronicle the fifty year history of the Association.
David Chambers’ “Liber Amicorum” then sets the stage for what follows: “Here, in the guise of the story of our Association, is an account of friendships between its members over the past fifty years. They have all been collectors with widely different interests, from countries across the world, united by the love of books and the need to be surrounded by them at the end of a day’s work, and in the years of retirement. The aim of the society has been to bring together such enthusiasts and to offer them books and essays in the journal that will lead them further into the bibliophilic quagmire.”
The heart of the publication, however, is the brief, charming, and in some cases downright enchanting collection of reminiscences by 84 member collectors. Each member’s entry runs from two to four pages making the book a delight to pick up for a quick read while at the same time leaving something to savor for yet another time or place. Each contribution includes a portrait of the collector ensconced in his or her lair with 45 additional images sprinkled throughout.
Many of the collectors are quite candid when they tell stories on themselves. For instance, Roderick Cave’s entry begins: “An inveterate book buyer, who has written quite a lot about rare books, and who was also a founder-member of PLA and heavily involved in the preparation of its Simplified Cataloguing Rules, ought to have formed an exemplary private library. And so mine is -- but what it exemplifies is a lack of discrimination. It is the result of being interested in too many different subjects, living in too many different homes, and alas, always having too little money to spend on my collection.”
Former Secretary of FABS (2001-2006) and Grolier Club member, George Singer begins his story with “Book collectors, like heroes, are born not made. Book collecting technique can be acquired. Not so the urge to collect, which is buried in the primordial ooze of our ontogeny. For some lucky victims it strikes late. For me it came early.”
David Chambers describes this little gem as: “A book for, and about our friends. . . .” And so it is. The book is 6 by 9-5/8 inches, 380 pp., case bound in cloth, limited to 1,100 copies, 400 of which are for sale at $60.00 through Oak Knoll Books. Call 1-800-996-2556 or oakknoll@oakknoll.com.
Currently in active preparation is an account of the Fanfrolico Press, by John Arnold, and a collection of photographs of English country bookshops, intended to match the two earlier series of photographs of shops in London. For more information see their website at plabooks org.
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n.b. Although A Modest Collection is a handsome production indeed, the title on the spine is too big, way to big! If you sometimes have difficulty locating a book on your shelves, this is the book for you.
Kay Michael Kramer
FABS Newsletter
editor@fabsbooks.org
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