Cover -- Title page -- Copyright page -- The Trade in Rare Books and Manuscripts between Britain and America c. 1890-1929 -- Contents -- Introduction -- 1 American Perspectives -- 1.1 Hands across the Sea -- 1.2 The Dizzy Heights of Dollardom -- 1.3 The Prince of Book Collectors -- 1.4 Books and Libraries -- 1.5 Motivations for Collecting -- 1.6 Conclusions -- 2 British Perspectives -- 2.1 The 'Drain' -- 2.2 The 'Zest' -- 2.3 Money Talks -- 2.4 Conclusions -- 3 The Book-Brokers -- 3.1 Cultivating a Market -- 3.2 Selling Stories -- 3.3 Practicalities -- 3.4 A Two-Way Trade -- 3.5 Conclusions
Conclusion: Constructing Cultural Histories -- List of Abbreviations -- Select Bibliography -- Acknowledgements
Summary
This Element examines the trade in rare books and manuscripts between Britain and America during a period known as the 'Golden Age' of collecting. Through analysis of contemporary press reports, personal correspondence, trade publications and sales records, this study contrasts American and British perspectives as rare books passed through the commercial market. The aim is to compare the rhetoric and reality of the book trade in order to assess its impact on emerging cultural institutions, contemporary scholarship and shifting notions of national identity. By analysing how markets emerged, dealers functioned and buyers navigated the market, this Element interrogates accepted narratives about the ways in which major rare book and manuscript collections were formed and how they were valued by contemporaries
Notes
Description based on online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on August 19, 2022)
