BOOKLOVERS, BIBLIOMANIACS
AND
BOOK CLUBS
Book-Lovers
Bibliomaniacs
and
Book Clubs
By
HENRY·H·HARPER
Privately Printed
At The Riverside Press
Cambridge
COPYRIGHT 1904 BY H. H. HARPER
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
[7]
PREFATORY
Having been asked to make a few remarks upon Book-loving, Book-buying,and Book Clubs,—not for publication before the great audience ofreaders, but for the exclusive use of the members of a private BookClub,—I venture thus to offer my views, hoping that in the light ofmy own personal experience I may be able to give a few useful hintsand suggestions to those who may peruse the pages which follow.
If this little tome, in which are recorded the reflections of one whofor many years has mingled with publishers, booksellers, bibliophiles,collectors, and bibliomaniacs, should prove to be of any interest orservice, and is found worthy of a small space in some sequestered[8]nook in the library, where it may in silent repose behold its moreworthy and resplendent companions, the fondest ambition of the authorwill be gratified beyond peradventure.
The Author.
[9]
BOOKLOVERS, BIBLIOMANIACS
AND
BOOK CLUBS
Book-collecting is undeniably one of the most engaging pursuits inwhich a refined and artistic taste may be indulged. From the earliesttimes, and even before the days of printing, this pleasant diversionhas been pursued by persons of moderate means as well as by those ofwealth and distinction, and every succeeding generation ofbook-collectors has exceeded its predecessors in numbers and inenthusiasm. The alluring influences of bi