New-York tribune., 1901-04-14
COLUMBIA'S LIBRARY.
NOTES ON SOME OF THE RARE AND IN.
TERESTING BOOKS 1T CONTAINS.

TERESTING BOOKS 1T CONTAINS.
Although the library of Columbia University
will for some years to come have to yield the
palm TO those Of older and larger institutions, it
mas already reached creditable proportions, con-
tanning more than three hundred thousand VOL
umcs, and is rapidly growing. DR.. Garfield the
director, is an administrative genius and under
his vigorous policy the library has become
of the best organized in the country Columbia
has not sufficient money TO indulge in IuXuries,
so the sum appropriated for books is divided
carefully among the various departments,
cording to their needs but specialization can
hardly yet be afforded. 1t is safe to say,
however, that one department will bear COM
paIison with the similar division of any other
university library. at least so far technical
knowledge and untiring research are concerned.
The collecting of books goes on apace;
considering the financial limitations of the de-
Iartment the number OF volumes accumulated
is remarkable.
The university does not enter into competition
with collectors at the much advertised auction
sales of volumes. Expensive first editions
are lGXuries which must be for the present
passed 10y. The value Of such possessions is
not underestmated. but Columbia confines itself
10 securing books which have for the student
definite scientific value Mr.. Smkhovitch.
who buys such volumes for the university, not
1ufroqUeI1ly makes a rlcn discovery and pre-
sents Columbia with treasure picked up for a
mere song, but only in this way and by gift
first editions and remarkable bindings secured
In spite of these limitations Columbia's rare
old books number several thousand. When the
Phoenix collection to the university il
brought one thousand rare and valuable works.
Thus the department from time to time takes
long strides forward. although for the most part
1t increases only as the directors intimate
knowledge of the booksellers business enables
him to lay cut money To the best advantage.
One of the Ibrary's chief treasures perhaps
its pearl Of greatest price, is first edition of
Moliere's works printed in 16S2 bound in calf.
With the arms of the Dauphin on the back
The value of this book has varied from 10
guneas 10 10000 francs, but the library secured
It fer $50 4 first edition of Racine's Esther"
4 copy of which had sold for 12,oOo francs, was
secured for 40 cents Another interesting find
just made is copy OF the first edition Of Die
Naturliche Tochter" Goethe's more than half
forgotten tragedy, published in 1904. copy of
Galileo's famous "Dalogi sopra due Massimi
Sisteni Tolonaico CoperncanO" published at
Florence in 1G52 is also the property OF the
university This is the work which eventually
brought Calico to his knees in recantation; the
whole edition Was supposed to be burned, and
only two or three copies escaped destruction.
The scientific interest attaching to the volume is
far above its money value to the dealer in old
Faust" is not a high priced book. although only
two copies are known to exist. 1t has sold for
81 so This book has just been ordered for
Columbia and if it is secured it should become
one OF the Hbrarys treasures. Another book.