Description
Book SynopsisThis volume provides a wide-ranging account of the development and importance of private libraries and book ownership through the seventeenth century, based upon many kinds of evidence, including examination of thousands of books, and a list of over 1,300 known owners from diverse backgrounds. It considers questions of evolution, contents and size, and motives for book ownership, during a century when growing markets for both new and second-hand books meant that books would be found, in varying numbers, in the homes of all kinds of people from the humble to the wealthy. Book ownership by women, and by non-professional households, is explicitly explored. Other topics include the balance of motivation between books for use, or for display; the relationship between libraries and museums; and cultures of collecting. While presenting a wealth of information in this field, conveniently brought together, this volume also advances methodologies for book history, and makes extensive use of material evidence such as bookbindings. It challenges received wisdom around priorities for studying private libraries, and the terminology which is appropriate to use. In addition, the list of owners, detailed in the Appendix, make this book a work of permanent reference, alongside its value in advancing book history.
Trade ReviewThis is a study all book historians will want to read. * D. L. Patey, CHOICE *
I recommend this book strongly for purchase, for institutions and personal scholars alike. * Karen Attar, Library and Information History *
Altogether this is a very worth-while book that changes many preconceived notions about book ownership during the 17th century, showing it to be spread over a much wider sector of the population and covering a much wider range of subjects than has been previously recognised. I warmly recommend it to anyone interested in English book history. * David Pearson, The Book Collector *
Table of ContentsPreface 1: Introduction: private libraries in Stuart England 2: Libraries for the studious, professional and wealthy 3: Women and books in the seventeenth century 4: Books for the common man: books outside professional, academic and wealthy circles 5: Physical spaces and book formats 6: Books for use and books for show 7: Cultures of collecting Appendix: A classified list of book owners, 1610-1715
