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Book Lore
Best Selling Books Ever
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A Bibliomaniac must be carefully distinguished from a bibliophile.
The latter has not yet freed himself from the :hat books are meant to be
read. The bibliomaniac has uses for books: he carries them about with
him as talismans, he passes his time in the contemplation of their
bindings, illustrations, and title pages. Some say he even rates himself
before them in silent adoration in that Joss house which he calls his
library. Bibliomaniacs are all alike. There are numerous subdivisions.
Some care for uncut copies, some only for books printed in black
letter or in italics, some for first editions, some for curious or
famous bindings, while some make collections on special subjects. But
all agree in this, — that the intrinsic merit of the book is a secondary
consideration in comparison with its market value and exceptional
scarcity.
There is a story of a wealthy English collector who long
believed that a certain rare book in his possession was a unique. One
day he received a bitter blow. He learned that there was another copy in
Paris. But he soon rallied, and, crossing over the Channel, he made his
way to the rival's home. "You have such and such a book in your
library?" he asked, plunging at once in medias res, "Yes." "Well, I want
to buy it." "But, my dear sir———" "I will give you a thousand francs for
it." "But it isn't for sale; I___" "Two thousand!" "On my word, I don't
care to dispose of it." "Ten thousand!" and so on, till at last
twenty-five thousand francs was offered, and the Parisian gentleman
finally consented to part with his treasure. The Englishman counted out
twenty-five thousand franc bills, examined the purchase carefully,
smiled with satisfaction, and cast the book into the fire. "Are you
crazy?" cried the Parisian, stooping over to rescue it. "Nay," said the
Englishman, detaining his arm, "I am quite in my right mind. I, too,
possess a copy of that book. I deemed it a unique. I was mistaken. Now,
however, thanks to your courtesy, I know it is a unique."
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