This _brochure_ owes its existence to Mr. Power's _Handy Book about
Books_, a large portion of which was reproduced in the American
_Bibliopolist_. An examination of so much as Mr. Power had done on the
subject of bibliography, led me to the conclusion that he had not made
a personal examination of the books described, and that the eminent
individuals, whom he thanks as having rendered him valuable assistance,
must have had rather limited bibliographical resources; indeed, the
general result was so disappointing that I determined to endeavor an
improvement, and the result is the present list which is about four
times the extent of Mr. Power's, and includes all the titles quoted
by him, some of which we should have preferred to omit. Still it is
not a complete bibliography, for the most excellent reason that such a
work is beyond any one man's capacity; but it is hoped it will prove
useful to those librarians and general readers who desire information
concerning books about books.
Those who seek further information on the subject may consult with
much advantage Petzholdt's _Bibliotheca Bibliographica_, which is
conspicuous for the faithful and painstaking care exhibited in its
compilation, and in which the titles are treated with that minute
attention to classification which is preëminently the characteristic of
the German mind, while our list is conspicuous for the absence of any
attempt at such a classification.
I cannot close this brief notice without tendering my thanks to
Mr. Charles A. Cutter of the Boston Athenæum for his valuable aid.
When librarians in general can approach his standard of library
intelligence, there will cease to be that plentiful lack of knowledge
by which some of them are now distinguished.