Between Boards : New Thoughts on Old Books

George Prior Publishers, London, first British edition, 1978. Cloth, 8vo, 24 cm,. 209 pp. From the blurb- "[T]he authors' newest collaboration can be called a model of instruction for anyone - amateur or professional - who claims an interest in old books, their significance and history. In a volume distilled from their accumulated experience, the scholar-partners of Leona Rostenberg - Rare Books pass on their insights - and hindsights - into the antiquarian book business and set down professional techniques and guidelines developed over the years. Their jointly written chapter on the how to's of catalogues and collecting will be especially useful to collectors and dealers. They also offer chapters packed with information on some of the unusual collectibles they have tracked down - uncommon Americana, feminism, political catalysts, and curious books and non-books - and provide a bibliographic listing for each category. Three chapters, written in a light vein, are both cautionary and instructive. 'Public Relations' and 'Perils and Pitfalls at Home & Abroad' supply practical do's and don't's and point out hazards awaiting the unwary. 'Adventures of a Literary Sleuth' demonstrates the rewards of scholarship for anyone with serious aspirations in the antiquarian field. Between Boards concludes with a personal and professional testament reflecting the authors' lifetime devotion to books. 'An Antiquarian Book- seller's Credo' describes the qualities, qualifications and labors they consider essential to the dealer: motivation, education, apprenticeship, specialization, patience and forebearance, perception, imagination, sleuthing, respect for the ephemeral, research, a sense of value, trade association membership, and - lastly - an unquenchable joy in the trade. Fore-edges slightly spotted, otherwise Near Very Good in price-clipped dustwrapper.