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The Amenities of Book-Collecting
Illustrated. Bound in half red leather and green cloth with the spine stamped in gilt.
373 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1918
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About the author
A. Edward Newton
176 books4 followersAlfred Edward Newton (1864—1940) was an American author, publisher, and avid book collector. He is best known for his book Amenities of Book Collecting (1918), which sold over 25,000 copies.
Over a collecting career that covered more than four decades, Newton assembled a library especially rich in British literature of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. With Chauncey Brewster Tinker (Yale) and Robert B. Adam (Buffalo) he fostered an interest in the English neoclassical writers, especially Samuel Johnson and James Boswell, at a time when their works were largely ignored. Newton promoted them by writing about them and by purchasing first editions of their works. His love of books encompassed the sixteenth and the nineteenth centuries as well. As a prominent collector widely known for his magazine articles and colorful public persona, he played a central role in the great boom in book collecting, or "this book-collecting game," as he called it, which peaked between about 1910 and 1930.
At the time of his death, it was estimated that Newton had approximately 10,000 books in his collection, focusing on English and American literary works, the major part of which were auctioned by Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York in April, May, and October 1941. Highlights of the sale included the autograph manuscripts of Thomas Hardy's novel Far From the Madding Crowd and Charles Lamb's essay Dream Children. However, the fall in rare book prices steadily through the Great Depression meant that many sold lots brought only a fraction of prices they would have realized at the time of the Jerome Kern sale in 1929. The three volume Newton sale catalogue remains a useful reference for literature collectors.
Over a collecting career that covered more than four decades, Newton assembled a library especially rich in British literature of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. With Chauncey Brewster Tinker (Yale) and Robert B. Adam (Buffalo) he fostered an interest in the English neoclassical writers, especially Samuel Johnson and James Boswell, at a time when their works were largely ignored. Newton promoted them by writing about them and by purchasing first editions of their works. His love of books encompassed the sixteenth and the nineteenth centuries as well. As a prominent collector widely known for his magazine articles and colorful public persona, he played a central role in the great boom in book collecting, or "this book-collecting game," as he called it, which peaked between about 1910 and 1930.
At the time of his death, it was estimated that Newton had approximately 10,000 books in his collection, focusing on English and American literary works, the major part of which were auctioned by Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York in April, May, and October 1941. Highlights of the sale included the autograph manuscripts of Thomas Hardy's novel Far From the Madding Crowd and Charles Lamb's essay Dream Children. However, the fall in rare book prices steadily through the Great Depression meant that many sold lots brought only a fraction of prices they would have realized at the time of the Jerome Kern sale in 1929. The three volume Newton sale catalogue remains a useful reference for literature collectors.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 8, 2009
My rating of this would have been higher had more of its content been devoted to book collecting. Instead, this volume is divided into roughly two parts: essays about the practice of book collection, and essays on Newton's favorite authors. All of them are charming, the former are more related to my interests. Luckily, there is much of interest here. Newton not only compares the collection of books to that of other objects, but he suggests book collecting as a "pastime" "sport" and even as something to compensate for the fact that one cannot read all of the time. Indeed, Newton makes several interesting distinctions between collection and reading, which he doesn't necessarily see as mutually exclusive though suggests that the best of his books are meant to be viewed and admired more than read. However, Newton also gives an interesting historical account of how collection practices are shifting c.1920. Not only has he witnessed an increase in prices, but he has seen the rise of American book dealers who rival their London-based counterparts, as well as the tastes of contemporary collectors stray from those of generations past (he amusingly suggests that no collector would have room for Audobon's "Birds" "except on a billiard-table or under a bed"). His overall love for his hobby is evident throughout, and his tales of acquiring books at auction and in shops provide a useful counterpart to similar accounts from contemporary collectors. There is no doubt his experiences differ in certain respects, but what is remarkable is how certain of his experiences (buying books at estate sales where they are sold in lots, for instance) are very much akin to today's collectors.
October 24, 2018
I totally agree with Elisabeth's review so I won't write much: I enjoyed part 1 about book collecting, the book dealers, the hunt for the rare book, association copies... It reminded me of The Ninth Gate at times. Part 2 was hectic and unfortunately not about the collecting process, except for the last few pages about Harry Elkins Widener, American bibliophile, who lost his life on the Titanic. It's thanks to this touching story that I give it 4 stars.
February 9, 2023
I came to buy and read this book because of the essay on Boswell and Johnson. I was not disappointed. His conversational style makes it a fast read. I'm reading it on Kindle now; but I just ordered a used, hard copy from Abe Books in order to see the illustrations better.
Fabulous account of a collectors life at the turn of the 20th century. Newton lived near where i live now. Many of the collectors he mentions lived even closer to me. Alas his world is gone. The Philadelphia, New York and London he knew are all gone; but with this book one can almost reach out and touch his world.
Fascinating account of his passion and his books. I enjoyed it so much I'm reading it a second time.
Regards,
Tim
Fabulous account of a collectors life at the turn of the 20th century. Newton lived near where i live now. Many of the collectors he mentions lived even closer to me. Alas his world is gone. The Philadelphia, New York and London he knew are all gone; but with this book one can almost reach out and touch his world.
Fascinating account of his passion and his books. I enjoyed it so much I'm reading it a second time.
Regards,
Tim
January 1, 2019
I was quite intrigued by the author's introductory material and his personal insights. I found his writing style quite entertaining although I don't share his enthusiasm about Boswell nor Johnson. Very much enjoyed his description of Godwin. I read my Modern Library edition and am happy to see that there is a version on Gutenberg as well. I recommend it as a diverting read from mainstream literary material. Do enjoy it.
December 26, 2018
A charming set of 1918 essays on book collecting, as well as anecdotal tales about Newton's favorite authors, based on items in his collection. A wonderful, chatty book.
May 12, 2022
A delightful little book that I acquired in 2015 during the height of my Modern Library fixation but only got around to reading this month. It is a collection of essays (originally printed in The Atlantic) that has been divided into two parts: the first on collecting books and the second on the author's favorite or interesting authors. The first part was excellent and I was drooling and nodding my head as I worked through the fantastic introduction and the essays on collecting. This is a man after my own heart. I admit I too am fond of book catalogues (p. 4) and can amuse myself for hours on end reading them or bibliographic texts. Newton also loves London, especially for its numerous types of bookshops. One quote that easily could have come from my mouth was "There is a city called London for which I have as violent an affection as the most romantic lover ever had for his mistress" (p. 13). I've been very lucky to have spent six weeks in London over my lifetime. It is a magical city.
There are some hiccups along the way. He doesn't seem to be interested in anything that isn't written in English. He cares not for any other ancient or modern language. Sadly, he prefers tomes to be in private collections rather than in a museum. He feels that only a connoisseur, such as himself, can truly appreciate these volumes, not some gawker at a museum. I've been amazed at books I've seen on display, things I could never own, or might not want to own, but can marvel at them and maybe even use them for research.
His sexism and homophobia come out in his piece on Hester Lynch Thrale Piozzi and Oscar Wilde. He raves about their work but then does a bit of hacking at the character of these authors. He wants to have it both ways, condemning them but loving their works. It diminishes the quality of those articles. He also does a sad hack job on William Godwin, with whom he disagrees philosophically, but the piece seems only a vehicle for his rant and sadly doesn't bear out over time.
Having mentioned some flaws, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this collection, including the final essay on Harry Elkins Widener, a rich collector and friend of the author. He died when the Titanic sank, but his legacy lead to the creation of the Widener Memorial Library at Harvard.
There are some hiccups along the way. He doesn't seem to be interested in anything that isn't written in English. He cares not for any other ancient or modern language. Sadly, he prefers tomes to be in private collections rather than in a museum. He feels that only a connoisseur, such as himself, can truly appreciate these volumes, not some gawker at a museum. I've been amazed at books I've seen on display, things I could never own, or might not want to own, but can marvel at them and maybe even use them for research.
His sexism and homophobia come out in his piece on Hester Lynch Thrale Piozzi and Oscar Wilde. He raves about their work but then does a bit of hacking at the character of these authors. He wants to have it both ways, condemning them but loving their works. It diminishes the quality of those articles. He also does a sad hack job on William Godwin, with whom he disagrees philosophically, but the piece seems only a vehicle for his rant and sadly doesn't bear out over time.
Having mentioned some flaws, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this collection, including the final essay on Harry Elkins Widener, a rich collector and friend of the author. He died when the Titanic sank, but his legacy lead to the creation of the Widener Memorial Library at Harvard.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews