BOOKENDS

This is a book that will have of necessity a limited appeal. It is neither the sort of thing that one would buy for inspiration or sheer amusement. As its title page suggests, it is a bibliography of books about printing and the technical side of book-production, their history and presentday adaptation. As a result, it will attract for the most part, those interested in fine books, in publishing and in printing treated as an art.

The list has been carefully divided to make it more useable. There are sections on paper and papermaking, on Manuscripts, on Binding and on Book Collecting. After each book in the list, there is a short paragraph usually taken from the book's own preface, describing its contents and excellence. No books are listed that are not available in large public libraries.

There has long been a need for such a book to guide these who want to learn about book-making, but have no way of knowing what to read: and Mr. Hart's little volume will go far in serving this need. The comments are interesting and sometimes humorous. And although the book is primarily one of reference, it should prove a great aid to anyone interested in the subject; and undoubtedly it will become indispensable to a public library of any considerable size.