Evening star., 1938-01-09
Science, Literature and Other Branches of
World of Genius Aid Understanding
of Things That Make History.

lection is here notably maintained, fol
not only are the bindings an historical
record Of the art itself, but an his
torical pageant as well, Of the queen,
and kings Of every century to the
present. chronologically presented.
Here. In colorful and somewhat
sad procession. considering how the
mighty have fallen. pass the books Of
Venetian Doge Contarini of 9
Medici. Of French and Russian and
English queens. Here pass the books
Of English and French kings. of popes
of kings of Greece and Russia and OF
Napoleon Of France.
Beginning with binding made for
the Doge Contarini of Venice, repre-
senting bindings of the Fifteenth Cen
tury and displaying the peaked cap
of the Doges. the collection presents
in turn 18th century binding OF
Clovis D'Eve, the earliest well-known
binder and most famous of all binders,
in book made for Queen Marie
Medici of France, a 18th century
bAAAulAAs AAdAC 1OA S$uCCA AklllE
DAutriche Of France by the royal
binder, lie Gascon, who was famous
for his mosaic inlays and dotted lace
work; an 18th century binding made
for Queen Marie Antoinette of France,
with autograph notes Of the queen,
and another Of the same century made
for Catherine the Great, a binding
of the 10th century made for Queen
Victoria Of England-the book her
autographed copy, and an elaborate
vellum and gold binding OF q book
from the library of the unhappy last
Czarina of Russia.
Henry the Eighth Is represented in
this binding collection in a book bound
in leather, with metal clasps, bearing
the laurel wreath impressed in its
cover that was sent him by the Pope,
while Henry was still defender of the
faith" Then there is a binding made
for Pope Clement in red and gold in
the 10th century; one for Louis Four
teenth in the 17th century, bearing
his arms In gold on red leather; bind
ings made for Otto of Greece and for
Napoleon in the 10th century and for
Alexander III of Russia.
THE story Of juvenile literature is
told In a charming case devoted
to flrst editions Of children's books,
valuable, as well, for their associa-
tions. The collection includes such
diversified subjects as a Lenin speller
and the autograph Of Alice in Won
derland" and the calling card of that
very Mary who had little lamb"
The Shakespearean display is q
marvellous example Of the devotion
and patience Of literary collectors, as
well as priceless and fascinating ex-
hibit. dramatically, it presents the
autographs, letters or other items of
association value, of such individuals
as are supposed to have been the in
spiration for various characters in the
plays Of Shakespeare. Thus, in turn,
We are brought close to historic indi-
viduals such as Henry the Eighth,
King Francois the First, Charles the
Fifth, and the various noblemen who
formed the basis for characters such
as Malvolio and others. Incomparably
lovely editions form part OF this ex-
hibit, including the first complete
edition Of Romeo and Juliet" the
first folio edition Of Shakespeare, dated
>l623-the first collected edition Of his
plays, containing the first editions Of
10 Of the masters plays and called the
most intrinsically valuable book in
English" The copy shown Is the
copy Of the Marquis Of Cholmondeley.
inscribed by him Just after publica-
ton.
There il in this case . notable and
charming set Of little books, inter-
esting because they are the works Of
the greatest dramatist, printed by
Balzac, the great French novelist, In
those days when hs struggled to earn
. livelihood by the art ot printing.