Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1889-02-20
OLD BOOK COLLECTORS.
MANY ANTlQuARlANs AND THEIR
HOBBIES AND WHIMs.

some OF the Costly Books That Have Beer
Gathered by the BibIiomaniacs-A Few
OF tho Treasures Discovered by Chi.
cago Reporter.
Look at this, said an antiquarian book.
seller, unwrapping thick paper parcel and
producing a small octave volume with mnsty
brown covers. 1t was a copy Of Burns
poems and ON tho title page appeared the
bold signature Of George Washington. The
dealer handled it with the same tenderness
with which lapidary would handle pre-
cious jewel
''Thisn said be, sis an example of the ro-
nance Of old book collecting. This little vol
ume, a copy Of the first American edition,
with the autograph of the father Of his coun-
try, together with his book plate, in front,
and that Of Bradwell Washington on the
back cover, has for forty ySars been buried
in an obscure Canadian village. 1t is gen.
uine treasure and will bring several hundred
dollars easily.n
IoNDoN's MUsTy COVERS
"Are similar finds made oftenp
ION the contrary, they are rare It is
their rarity which stimulates tho search that
is going on constantly through public libra
ries, old attics and ancient ancestral be
longings. Plenty OF books worth their weight
in gold are undoubtedly hidden all over the
world, in the possession of people who have
no idea Of their value. The vast bulk of them
as they come to light, find their way TO Lon
don. That city is the great antiquarian book
market Of the world. The value Of an old
book" ne continued, depends upon circum-
stances. Often its rarity, but quite as fire.
quently it is its history, associations and
ownership which determine its worth How
much Of a treasure, for instance, would not
any little thing seem which bore evidence Of
having been once in the possession Of Shake
speareg'
SIS the number Of old book collectors in.
creasingp
"All tho time in all parts Of the world, es
pccially in the English speaking portions OF
it. They are bidding up the value Of chief
works When twenty men want one bool its
price naturally rises Book collecting is one
of the most virulent of fevers Once it attacks
man be remains its victim his whole life
long, and every year the disease takes
stronger hold"
"What is Chicago's rank as an old book
marketF'
Important. And it has become much
more 50 in the last two or three years. There
are hundreds who arc afflicted with the fever
Of book collecting Its most hopeless victims
are men in moderate circumstances Many
Of these make great sacrifices to obtain
coveted volume. Rich mon, the architects Of
their own fortunes, seldom become biblio-
mnnics, but their sons do.n
HIGH PRICED LIBRARY
do they show queer tastesf
Yes. They buy books on one subject, ard
that one which is entirely removed from
their vocations Books on music are not
bought by musicians; art works are picked
up by men who care little for pictures; doc
tors never buy the hideous old medical books.
Two men here collect everything ohtainable
on He'll Several others-and clear headed,
practical men they are-buy books on witch.
craft One Of the finest collections on that
subject is owned in this city. Two other men
are lavish buyers Of old books on epitaphs
Ono Of them is a doctor and the other a hum
herman
"a great many rare books have found their
way to this city and remained here be con
tinued. Probably one OF the finest and most
valuable libraries Of works upon the Indians
that there are in the world has been gathered
mostly from the old book shelves by Chi
cagoan. Mr.. F. G. Assays collection, which
has, however, been about dispersed, was an
other monument He owned an Elliott Bible
which fetched 81 $50 Tho late John a. Rice
was a most ardent collector. His library
when sold some years ago brought S42, o62.
A good many fine Dibdins are owned in Chi
cago. Several private collections Of old
Americana and Cruikshankiana are also com.
plete A volume presented to DR.. johnson,
bearing his signature on the lyleaf, was sold
hererecently. Another had Poes name in II,
and still another, and probably one Of the rar.
est ever brought here, was from John Millions
library and bore his autograph. Probably
the costliest book ever brought to Chicago
was a copy Of the first folio edition Of Shake
speare, published in 1923. 1t is regarded as
the finest copy in America, and is valued a;
$4,000. Its owner is a man who made for
tune in speculation. Chicago Tribune.