Aspects of Book Culture in Early Modern England

T.A. Birrell (25 July 1924 - 22 May 2011) was Professor of English and American Literature at Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands and historian of the Old Royal Library. Jos Blom teaches English at Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

• Contents: Editorial preface; Part I The Significance of Book Auctions: John Dryden’s purchases at two book auctions, 1680 and 1682; Books and buyers in 17th century English auction sales; John Locke at three English book auctions, December 1681 to June 1682. Part II Book Collectors and Reading Habits: The reconstruction of the library of Isaac Casaubon; The printed books of Dame Margaret Nicollson: a pre-Reformation collection; Reading as pastime: the place of light literature in some gentlemen’s libraries of the 17th century; Review of Bibliotheca Higgsiana: A Catalogue of the Books of Dr Griffin Higgs (1589-1659) by P.S. Morrish (Oxford, 1990); Review of Private Libraries in Renaissance England: a Collection and Catalogue of Tudor and Early Stuart Booklists, eds R.J. Fehrenbach and E. Leedham-Green, Volumes I and II (Binghampton/New York, 1992/3); Mary of Nemmegen: provenance, context, genre; The library of Sir Edward Sherburne (1616-1702). Part III Publishers and Their Influence: The influence of 17th century publishers on the presentation of English literature; The making of a bookseller: the journals of John Petheram (1807-1858); The circle of John Gage (1786-1842): Director of the Society of Antiquaries, and the bibliography of medievalism; ’A sentimental journey’ through Holland and Flanders, 6 June to 3 July 1815, by John Gage. Part IV Bibliographers and Libraries: Anthony Wood, John Bagford and Thomas Hearne as bibliographers; Some rare Scottish books in the Old Royal Library; The British library: custodian of the unique; The BM duplicate sales 1769-1832 and their significance for the early collections; Bibliography of T.A. Birrell's works; Selective index.

'For those who had the pleasure and privilege of knowing Tom Birrell, this book will serve as reminder of his quintessence; for those who did not know him, here is the best possible introduction to a man of massive learning, infinite wit and great humanity, and also to a variety of approaches to "book culture".' Publishing History 'The volume prints eighteen essays and reviews [that] show [Birrell] not only as an historian of collections, readers, and libraries, but also as one who was alert to subjects that have now assumed considerable interest.' Library & Information History 'This book should be compulsory reading for all young people embarking on careers in the antiquarian book trade, rare-book librarianship, or the history of the book; for older hands there will be no need for compulsion: its charms, rewards, and enviable invention will make it irresistible.' Book Collector