The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-11-05
LECTURE WAS GIVEN.
Preston A. Perry Talked of Famous
Books

Books
On Tuesday night the people Of Wichita
were especially fortunate in having the
privilege of hearing Mr.. Preston A Perry
in his lecture on Famous Books and
Their Makers" The ensuing was one
of rare profit TO all who attended. The
subject was unique and new to this city.
Mr.. Perry is an enthusiast on the sub
1ect of books, and he has spared neither
money nor time in obtaining material.
The illustrations shown upon the canvass
were the finest possible to produce, and
added very much TO the interest and
pleasure of the evening. The speaker
gave an historical review of the art of
| book-making from the earliest period TO
the present. beginning with Egypt and
Assyria, and ending with America. He
mentioned many of the great books of
the world, and explained the reasons of
their fame and value. One of the first
was the Book of the Dead" written by
the Egyptians on papyrus, copy OF
which was buried with each mummy,
and supposed to be a pride TO the dead
in his wanderings beyond the tomb.
In Rome, there were many book makers,
probably thousands. so that the price OF
books was very cheap. some of the works
now classic selling at amounts equal TO
about twenty-five cents in our money.
Consequently the Romans became great
readers
The ornamentation and Illuminating OF
books began and was carried on chiefly.
at first, by monks. 1t was also encouraged
by Alfred of England and others. FIRE.
quently the nuns associated in this work,
in some instances a part OF a book being
executed by a monk and a part by a
num-, .t,-s4
Examples of curious, valuable and beau
tfful specimens of the printers art were
also mentioned and short review OF
the history and development of print
ing was given, the speaker maintaining
that. after long and careful study, he
was satisfied that credit is due to Gut
tenbarg Many of the products of the
old hand presses were very beautiful, as
we'll as curious.
Coming down to modern times. VIM.
Morris was given the place of honor in
England. He gave new impetus to the
artistic sense among book-makers. and
since his time much beautiful work has
tiful rather than the mere commercial.
In America we have several people who
are doing work that is destined to be-
come famous. In Portland. Ore, Geo. F.
Holman has done some very beautiful
work. and our American artist, Richard
son. spent thirty-six years on a volume
OF Irvings Sketch Book"
During the evening one hundred and
ninety slides were thrown upon the screen
illustrating the points brought out by the
speaker. These included binding pages, IL
Nominations, engravings. etc. from fam
Gus books, as well as portraits ot persons
who have encouraged their making and
preservation. The lecture was most in
structive and of especial interest TO lovers
of the beautiful in books
On Wednesday at the rooms OF Mrs. L
s Carter am exhibition Of rare and cost
IL books was given This was indeed
most unusual and unique treat IL was
not often in a Hfe time that such an
opportunity is afforded TO actually see
and inspect so many OF the famous books
Of the world. Mr. Perry has what IS con-
sldered one of the finest collections OF
books i'm the world. and from these we're
chosen those comprising this exhibit
There were many wonderful and beau
iiful things. and all cannot be even men
toned; but several may be named. There
was a copy of the "K0ran"-in the original
Arabic. done in pen and ink and exquisite
- Illuminated IN pure gold Especially
interesting was "A complete Bible. only
two inches long and one.haf inch thick.
the Typography Of which was perfect IN
every particular. This little book was 81
Illuminated with engraved plates Then
there was a tiny book. not larger than
ones thumb complete and perfect. also
illustrated and valued at 800 This vas
the "Rubaiyat OF Omar Khayyain"
Some Of the older books were hard n
Illuminated n solid Eo3d and beautiful wa
ter colors Many most exquisite speci-
mems of overiaid ard inlaid hand WORKS
were shown. The value of some of these
books IS sirncst beyond belief. running
up into the thousands or dollars. ard
requiring from three 10 seven months g
rake single volume
II Is Impossible 70 give sn adequate it-s
of the exhibit or paper. bit wichita hss
certainly been pleased D. this VISIT o.
sr Perry. ffhe lecture ard exhibit can
rot fan 70 - strong factor in raising
tAc literary aud artistic standard q tie
co.uagnity- such thinss are liberal ed1-
eaters IN themselves. for one might travel
shs world over ard osTsr see the Ike
amount o. valuable hooks g. che place
MI Perry has spen; years IN making this
a. ifectIoa. and some II his booLs are
be.oa5 the power u money 20 bay Th@
Issuance CT ihsn 3 90 mis- ~fll
;-ire zone s5ea q Their value. ard 10
pfec.sus they are.
We reed more sgch treats. They are
roo.d Ter -. fos they hsip u sarieh. sz-
rsoble aod oeaufsfv or lEezIz