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(1/12) On April 23rd 1995, the first @UNESCO World Book Day (or World Book & Copyright Day) was celebrated. #WorldBookDay is all about promoting reading and publishing as well as raising awareness for copyright. Allow me to share 2 books that are best suited for a day like this.
(2/12) R. van der Meulen, "Het Boek in Onze Dagen" (The Book of Today), 1892. Published in conjunction with the 'Internationale Tentoonstelling voor Boekhandel en Aanverwante Vakken' (Int. Exhibition of Book Trade and Related Professions). I do hope I am translating this right...
(3/12) In this richly illustrated volume, Van der Meulen guides us through the process of contemporary book-making. From the first manuscript, to the typesetting, the printing, the correction of the first proof, the various forms of illustrations that were being used, etcetera.
(4/12) Take for example this gorgeous specimen of Chromolithography, one of two included in the book. The art of lithography, or stone-printing, was invented in or around 1796 by Alois Sennefelder. The prefix 'Chromo' simply refers to the use of colour.
(5/12) Two pages from the chapter on printing and various types of presses. According to Van der Meulen, the "Liberty-press" was a recent American invention which could be operated by one person. Meant for small works only, it was a cost-efficient device with a high output.
(6/12) Moving on! In 1896, Van der Meulen published the 'sequel', titled "Over de liefhebberij voor boeken" (On the Enthusiasm for Books). In the first chapter, he quotes Edmondo de Amicis, who once said: "A house without books is a rather uninviting house. It's like a hostel..."
(7/12) ..., like a town without a bookshop, like a village without a school, like a letter written so badly it is hardly legible." There is of course the ideal value of books to consider, but also their material value, which is the topic of this first chapter.
(8/12) Van der Meulen, having already dedicated a book to 'the book of today' four years prior, spends the whole second chapter (pages 14-119) outlining the history of the book, and this is arguably one of the most impressive 'plates' he has included.
(9/12) The rest of the book is all about the love for books. What do collectors search for? What is the difference between a bibliomaniac and a bibliophile? Well, a bibliomaniac, for example, passionately collects solely for the purpose of possession, the rarer the better.
(10/12) Van der Meulen even dedicates a whole chapter to the Bibliomaniac and distinguishes various 'types'. For example the Haughty or Vain Bibliomaniac, who collects (but never reads) the rare, beautiful and exquisite books and wants everyone to know and talk about it.
(11/12) The bibliophile, on the other hand, is a much, MUCH more restrained individual. They don't care about a torn page, some water damage or a printing error. The inside counts, not just the outside. A bibliophile admires, collects but also reads.
(12/12) Lastly, Van der Meulen describes the culture, or should we say, art of book collecting in England, France, Germany and the Netherlands.
Anyway, that concludes my #WorldBookDay #worldbookday2020 thread. Make sure to spread the word: reading is fun!
Anyway, that concludes my #WorldBookDay #worldbookday2020 thread. Make sure to spread the word: reading is fun!
