The other bindings in the exhibit are generally from private collections in which the collector bought an existing binding. There are exceptions where these collectors commissioned the binding of books they supplied. Only five collectors have loaned bindings to the show. This gives me a good opportunity to persuade you that the collecting of modern fine bindings is not followed by many. These five are, I believe, the only significant collectors of modern fine bindings in Northern California.
Fine binding is a neglected field of collecting.
Here we have a book of value in a unique binding which will outlast all other copies of the book and which does not present any problem of storage or display, as it nay be stored on your library shelves. Of course much of the interest in collecting in general cones from a hope to invest in articles which will increase in value at least at the rate of inflation. Such success is possible, but the beauty and feel of the binding and the love of the book itself should be the prime motive for collecting bindings. My family knew only too well that I had little patience and had never indicated any of the skills applying to binding. So my family and friends attempted to dissuade me from studying fine binding.