1812 History and The Responsibility of Looking After Your Books

1812 HISTORY AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LOOKING AFTER YOUR BOOKS - AS ADVISED IN SMILEY'S COOK BOOK AND UNIVERSAL HOUSEHOLD GUIDE

TURN OF THE CENTURY TEXT OFFERS TIPS ON BOOK CONSERVATION

     As a book collector first, and a seller second, I confess to being partial to signed and inscribed first editions. I will gladly take a clean and secure copy of a later edition, especially if it happens to be revised; and in our shop, I do stock reprint, softcover editions, simply because of affordability. I don't want customers to avoid the classics because original texts, as first editions, cost in the multi-hundreds if not thousands. What captivates me about first editions, is the fact, in most cases, the author was given proofs to examine and approve before they were printed; and that it was the same edition the author got to re-read once it left the print shop. Imagine this i the case of Charles Dickens or Washington Irving, and getting a signed copy as a bonus. Even in the contemporary sense, a signed first edition is what I get excited about, and often this doesn't translate into a huge mark-up of book value. To some collectors, a signature on the inside cover pave or title page, defaces a pristine copy. They would prefer a signature on a separate piece of paper to be kept somewhere else; not in the book because of potential contamination should the book ever be in a compromised situation, such as getting wet. It happens more than you might think. I'm not that fussy but I do understand their sentiments.
     As I worked in the print industry for a decade, and I often left my editorial post, to stand with the printer's in our workshop, known formerly as The Hera;d-Gazette Press, and them Muskoka Graphices, I had a close-up relationship with the old technology of 1970's circa printing presses. Before computers took over the world. I loved the smell of freshly imprinted ink, and I had the very great pleasure, of being in place when two of my books from that period, came off their marvelous contraptions. After they were stapled together, (they weren't big books by any measure), I took the subject book in-hand, and the first thing I did, believe it or not, was to hold it close to my nose, to smell the printed word. Looking at the book came second.
     Found in South Muskoka. British history. I'm holding a 203 year old book in my hands. Some of you may not think it's a big deal. To a bibliophile and an history junkie, it's a relic of our print heritage, that's certainly worth reading for a different perspective on the past. As far as being a valuable book? Not really. I only found one of eight volumes of the original printing, and even then, if I had the entire set, it wouldn't be worth a "king's" ransom. Just a little book humour, in preparation for what you are about to read.
     What I liked about this old book, and one of the reasons I bought it from a local second hand shop, is, of all things, its historic texture. You can feel the imprint of the letters from the original 1812 printing press, on each page of the text, and judge very quickly the differences in paper stock, bindery, print fonts, and decoration, from books printed a hundred and two hundred years later. I like to keep my oldest books handy, just in case I get a greenhorn book collector in the shop, who would benefit from such comparisons. My oldest book, was a 1703 German Bible, with a goat skin cover, which replaced the original that was burned in a fire. The story I got from my book binder friend, who had done the repairs, was that the bible had been thrown into a book cleansing fire, at some point, in Germany, and pulled out after the crowd dispersed. It was covered soon after with the goat skin, and my friend, who had worked for the Hunter / Rose Company, in Ireland, as a bookbinder in her youth, was merely, in the modern art of bookbinding, securing the spine and hinges for a client. The goat skin recovering, was in the late 1990's probably more than two hundred years old. I bought it off her for fifty dollars, because the client disappeared, never reclaiming the Bible. It's true. I sold it for many times more than this, five years later. You could even smell the residue of smoke from that old-time book-burning event. Talk about a book representing the rigors of religion, culture, politics and contemporary thinking, adjusted to the decades it survived. Yes, it does give you a strange feeling, being in possession of a Bible like this, with so much provenance to consider. I worried, every day I owned it, that something would happen to it, in a household misadventure. It would have made me nuts to have had the book survive since 1703, which included being rescued from an inferno of other books, to only then, be lost by exposure to a spilled beverage, or shredded by a cat's claws. It was safely hidden away, but antiquarians worry needlessly as if it's a mental recreation.
     It is incumbent upon the old book owner and seller, to treat our treasures with the respect they deserve. It is likewise, important to understand, that there will always be some editorial content, an old book owner becomes aware of, only after reading through an acquired text, (having purchased a copy of an antiquarian book, contents unknown), that may be highly offensive; and even for its time period, makes for a harder sell to a contemporary audience. The material below, contains references, for example, to those of Jewish ancestry, that is, and should be considered offensive in modern times. The material however, doesn't come from a modern time. In fact, what you are about to read was taken from Volume Two, of a History of England, published in the year the Americans decided to invade the fledgling Canada, creating a larger war, once again, (after the Revolutionary War) with England. Prejudices like this, facing those of Jewish faith, are deeply rooted, and go well back in the history of the world. This writer, David Hume, however, brought the injustices to the Jews to light for public consumption, in 1812. I have no doubt that this historian paid attention to the chronicle, as was available and attainable for his research, although his opinions are clear throughout this volume. I won't steer clear of controversial content, while in the pursuit of old books. Very few of us collectors and dealers, will turn down an old book based solely on its negative or even controversial content. If it's a poorly written book, and produced cheaply, and bound poorly, with low quality paper stock, for its era, it won't be coming home with us. Of course, one has to discern, that a book written in 1812, that is thusly of historic reference and purpose, the author was working under the restraints and necessities of the time period. I am not a student of British history as such, but I'm reasonably sure David Hume wasn't taking too many liberties, when writing about the victimization of the Jews. I do sense in his description, the historian's regret, that the Jews were victimized; something history and a succession of historians would write about, onward for the coming centuries up to the present.
     It is quite a feeling, to handle a book that was released, as the Canadian / American border was being challenged in a brief but brutal war for North American domination. Here is what David Hume opened his text with, as volume two of his eight part History of England. I'd love to know if, by time the series finished, if there was a mention of the commencement of the War of 1812, as a war being between Britain and the United States.
     "The communication of Richard for his undutiful behavior towards his father was durable, and influenced him in the choice of his ministers and servants after his accession. Those who had seconded and favoured his rebellion, instead of meeting with that trust and honour which they expected, were surprised to find that they lay under disgrace with the new King, and were on all occasions hated and despised by him. The faithful ministers of Henry, who had vigorously opposed all the enterprises of his sons, were received with open arms, and were continued in those offices which they had honourable discharged to their former master. This prudent conduct might be the result of reflection; but in a Prince, like Richard, so much guided by passion, and so little by policy, it was commonly ascribed to a principle still more virtuous and more honourable.
     "Richard, that he might make atonement to one parent for his breach of duty to the other, immediately sent orders for releasing the Queen Dowager from the confinement in which she had long been detained; and he entrusted her with the Government of England, till his arrival in that kingdom. His bounty to his brother John was rather profuse and imprudent. Besides bestowing on him the county of Mortaigne in Normandy, granting him a pension of four thousand marks a year, and marrying him to Avisa, the daughter of the Earl of Glouscester, by who he inherited all the possessions of that opulent family, he increased his appanage, which the late king had destined him, by other extensive grants and cecessions. He conferred on him the whole estate of William Peverel, which he had escheated to the crown. He put him in possession of eight castles, with all the forests and honours annexed to them. He delivered over to him no less than six Earldoms, Cornwal, Devon, Sommerset, Nottingham, Dorset, Lancaster, and Derby. And endeavouring, by favours to fix that vicious Prince, in his duty, he put it too much in his power, whenever he pleased, to depart from it.
     "The King, impelled more by the love of military glory than by superstition, acted, from the beginning of his reign, as if the sole purpose of his government had been the relief of the Holy Land, and the recovery of Jerusalem from the Saracens. This zeal against infidels, being communicated to his subjects, broke out in London on the day of his coronation, and made them find a Crusade less dangerous, and attained with more immediate profit. The prejudices of the age had made the lending of money on interest pass by the invidious name of 'usury'. Yet the necessity of the practice had still continued it, and the greater part of that kind of dealing fell every where into the hands of the Jews; who being already infamous on account of their religion, had no honour to lose, and were apt to exercise a profession, odious in itself, by every kind of rigour, and even sometimes by rapine and extortion. The industry and frugality of this people had put them in possession of all the ready money, which the idleness and profusion common to the English with other European nations, enabled them to lend at exorbitant and unequal interest. The monkish writers represent it as a great stain on the wise and equitable government of Henry, that he had carefully protected this infidel race from all injuries and insults; but the zeal of Richard afforded the populace a pretence for venting their animosity against them.
     "The King had issued an edict prohibiting their appearance at his coronation; but some of them bringing large presents from their nation, presumed, in confidence of that merit, to approach the hall in which he dined. Being discovered, they were exposed to the insults of bystanders. They took flight; the people pursued them. The rumour was spread, that the King had issued orders to massacre all the Jews; a command so agreeable was executed in an instant, on such, as fell into the hands of the populace; those who had kept at home were exposed to equal danger, the people, moved by the rapacity and zeal, broke into their houses, which they plundered, after having murdered the owners; where the Jews barricadoed their doors and defended themselves with vigour, the rabble set fire to the houses, and made way through the flames to exercise their pillage and violence; the usual licentiousness of London, which the sovereign power with difficulty restrained, broke out with fury, and continued these outrages; the houses of the richest citizens, though Christians, were next attacked and plundered, and weariness and satiety at last, put an end to the disorder. Yet when the King empowered Glanville, the justiciary, to inquire into the authors of these crimes, the guilt was found to involve so many of the most considerable citizens, that it was deemed more prudent to drop the prosecution, and very few suffered the punishment due to its enormity.
     "But the disorder stopped not at London. The inhabitants of the other cities of England, hearing of this slaughter of the Jews, imitated the example. In York, five hundred of that nation, who had retired into the castle for safety, and found themselves unable to defend the place, murdered their own wives and children, threw the dead bodies over the walls upon the populace, and then setting fire to the houses, perished in the flames. The gentry of the neighborhood, who were all indebted to the Jews, ran to the cathedral, where their bonds were kept, and made a solemn bonfire of the papers before the altar. The compiler of the Annals of Waverly, in relating these events, blesses the Almighty for thus delivering over this impious race to destruction."

CARE OF OLD BOOKS ACCORDING TO A 1901 H0USEHOLD COMPANION

     In the 1901 text of Household Hints, the following is published to help book owners look after their libraries big or small:
     "It is one thing to buy books; it is quite another to intelligently care for them. The following rules are well worth preserving by every one who handles books:
     Never hold a book near a fire (or throw one in to see what will happen). Never lean or rest upon an old book. Never turn down the corners of leaves. Never touch a book with damp or soiled hands. Always keep your place with a thin book mark. Always place a large book on the table before opening it. Always turn leaves from the top with the fore or middle finger. Never touch a book with a damp cloth or sponge. Never rub dust from books, but brush it off with a soft dry cloth or duster. Never close a book with a pencil, pad or paper, or anything else between the leaves. Always open a large book from the middle, and never from the ends or cover. Always keep a borrowed book neatly covered with paper while in your possession. Never try to dry, by a fire, a book accidentally wet; but wipe off the moisture with a soft dry cloth and let it dry slowly. Never lend a borrowed book, but return it directly when you get through with it, so that the owner may not be deprived of its use. Always have a good index or catalogue of the contents of your library."
    "Books which are placed in a library should be thoroughly dusted two to three times a year, not only to keep them clean and fresh, but also to prevent any development of insects and to disclose signs of dampness. The interior of a book also requires care, though often neglected. On taking a book from the shelf, before opening it see if there is dust on the top edge. If it has trimmed edges, blow off the dust, and then dust with a soft duster; if the edges are uncut, brush with a rather hard brush. In this way the dust will be kept from sifting into the book. If books are packed too tightly on the shelves their backs will be broken when they are taken down. Nothing spoils books more quickly than laying them open, face down, to preserve the place.
     "Bookshelves should be covered with a dust sheet before a room is swept. Books which are not kept under glass may be guarded to some extent from dust, by having strips of leather or cloth two or three inches deep, nailed along the edges of the shelves; also lay sheets of brown paper, a little wider than the books along their tops. At the annual housecleaning, books should be taken down and beaten, first singly and then, taking one book in each hand, strike them together two or three times, and then carefully dust them; then the shelves should be washed, scrubbed and thoroughly dried, before the books are put back. The three great enemies of books are insects, damp, rats and mice. Every one knows how to guard against rats and mice. To preserve books, warm, dry air is required; dampness and excessive heat must be avoided. The more they are read the more easily they are preserved. It is said that the reason Russian leather never molds and is not affected by damp is because it is perfumed with tar of birch tree. Book cases or shelves made of cedar, cypress, sandalwood, or any strongly aromatic wood, are a protection to books against insects. The Romans preserved valuable manuscripts with oil of cedar. Bindings brushed over with spirits of wine are preserved from mildew, and libraries may be preserved from the effects of mold and damp by using a few drops of any perfumed oil. Alum used in the bookbinder's paste, has a preservative effect, while oil of turpentine is much better. Anise seed, bergamot, or anything strongly odoriferous, mixed in paste, preserves it indefinitely from the attacks of insects. Grease spots! These may be removed from the covers of bound books by laying fine pipeclay, magnesia or French chalk on both sides, and applying a hot iron; but take care that it is not too hot. Colored calf-skin may be treated the same way. Vellum covers which need cleaning, may be made almost equal to new, by washing with a weak solution of potash binoxalate, or, if not soiled, with warm water and soap."
     There is an onus of responsibility, owning and handling old books. But what a rewarding, and inspiring relationship it can be for the book lover, who wishes to time travel, and who, like me, doesn't have the time or patience to wait for a futuristic machine that will do it for us. There is a feeling of worldliness and scholarly achievement, being surrounded by these wonderful relics of the ages; and as someone who got printers ink in his blood at a young age, I can vouch for the feeling of proud association, being thusly connected to some of the greatest writers in history. The allure of "first editions." It puts the bibliophile that much closer to the author's pen, and the printer's press, for that first striking of the title page, in what today, would be considered primitive quarters. I spent a goodly portion of our Honeymoon watching the Colonial Williamsburg print shop in action. Suzanne spend the same amount of time, sitting on a bench outside, waiting for her husband to get tired of watching paper being imprinted the old, old, fashioned way. I made it up to Suzanne, by taking her out to the local tavern, and getting her a pewter flagon of wine. I had a jug of ale, proudly made in Old Virginia. And we spent an enjoyable afternoon, enjoying beverage and a wonderful tavern meal in the spirit and custom of the 1700's. The best part, other than being with my new bride, was that I could still smell the traditional fare of the print shop next door.
     More on old and older books, and the stories they brought to public attention, via the printing press, in tomorrow's blog.
     (The year 1337) "The weakness of a King, gave reins to the aristocracy. A superstitious age saw the clergy triumphant. The people, for who chiefly government was instituted, and who chiefly deserve consideration, were the weakest of the whole. But the Commons, little obnoxious to any other order, though they sunk under the violence of tempests, silently reared their heads in more peaceable times, and while the storm was brewing, were courted by all sides, and thus received still some accession to their privileges, or at worst some confirmation of them. It has been an established opinion, that gold coin was not struck till this reign. But there has lately (1812) been found proof that it is as ancient as Henry III."