BIBLIOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA, 1904-79, A RETROSPECTIVE COLLECTION.|THE

Charlottesville: Bibliographical Society of America, 1980. hardcover, dust jacket. 6 x 9.25 inches. hardcover, dust jacket. 568 pages. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Bibliographical Society of America, this retrospective collection of articles seeks to represent, in the broadest possible way, the diverse contributions of the members of the Society to its Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America. The pieces demonstrate to the highest degree of excellence - articles of critical importance that have moved forward the art of bibliography. This volume contains 39 articles that strongly suggest that the practice of bibliography in America during the past three-quarters of a century cannot be easily categorized. Instead, the articles range over the entire spectrum of the world of books. An interesting characteristic of the selection is the preponderance of articles concerned with the relationship between books and people - especially with collectors rather than with those involved in the more technical aspects of bibliography. The collection begins with "A Plea for an Anatomical Method of Bibliography" by Victor Hugo. Paltsits from the first volume, includes "Problems in Nineteenth-Century American Bibliography" by Rollo G. Silver and concludes with G. Thomas Tanselle's effective survey of the art, "The State of Bibliography Today" from the 73rd volume.