The Book Collector by Charles Nodier
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"The Book Collector" by Charles Nodier is an essay written in the early 19th century, reflecting the author's thoughts on the nature and type of book collectors. Serving as a passionate ode to bibliophiles, it discusses the distinction between different types of book collectors and their relationship with literature, wealth, and culture. The essay emphasizes the importance of the material aspects of books and their role in intellectual and artistic pursuits, revealing
a deep nostalgia for the bibliophilic culture of the past. In this work, Nodier outlines the essence of bibliophiles as individuals deeply invested in the beauty and wisdom contained in books, contrasting them with bibliomaniacs, who hoard books indiscriminately. He explores the socio-cultural decline of bibliophiles, attributing this to the emergence of a capitalist mindset where the value of literature is diminished. Through a blend of historical anecdotes and personal reflections, the essay laments the fading appreciation for the fine art of collecting books, positioning it against the backdrop of societal changes in the 19th century that prioritize material wealth over intellectual richness. In this light, Nodier paints a portrait of a bygone era where book collecting was synonymous with cultural significance and individual satisfaction. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Nodier, Charles, 1780-1844 |
|---|---|
| Author of introduction, etc. | Hofer, Philip, 1898-1984 |
| Illustrator | Daumier, Honoré, 1808-1879 |
| Translator | Sessions, Barbara F. |
| LoC No. | 78397658 |
| Uniform Title | L'amateur des livres. English |
| Title | The Book Collector |
| Original Publication | United States: Crimson Printing Company,1951. |
| Credits | Tim Lindell, Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 62.8 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | Z: Bibliography, Library science |
| Subject | Book collecting |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 66469 |
| Release Date | Oct 5, 2021 |
| Last Update | Oct 18, 2024 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 330 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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