GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHIES.
A good collection of bibliographies is indispensable for a public library,
and will also be of great use in a private library when its possessor is a
true lover of books. One of the most valuable catalogues of this class of
books is the "Hand-List of Bibliographies, Classified Catalogues, and
Indexes placed in the Reading Room of the British Museum for Reference"
(1881). It is not intended to give in this chapter anything like a
complete account of these books, as a separate volume would be required to
do justice to them. Here it will be sufficient to indicate some of the
foremost works in the class. The catalogues of some of our chief libraries
are amongst the most valuable of bibliographies for reference. The
Catalogue of the Library of the London Institution is one of the
handsomest ever produced.[19] Unfortunately the cost of production was too
great for the funds of the Institution, and the elaborate Catalogue of
Tracts was discontinued after the letter F.
The London Library being a specially well-selected one, the catalogue
(which is a good example of a short-titled catalogue) is particularly
useful for ready reference.[20]
The Royal Institution Library is very rich in British Topography, and the
catalogue forms a convenient handbook.[21]
The Catalogue of the Patent Office Library is by no means a model, but the
second volume forms a good book of reference.[22] Many other catalogues
might be mentioned, but these will be sufficient for our present purpose.
There is great want of a good Handbook of Literature, with the prices of
the different books. Until this want is supplied good booksellers'
catalogues will be found the most trustworthy guides. Pre-eminent among
these are the catalogues of Mr. Quaritch, and the "Catalogue of upwards
of fifty thousand volumes of ancient and modern books," published by
Messrs. Willis and Sotheran in 1862. Mr. Quaritch's catalogues are
classified with an index of subjects and authors.[23] A previous General
Catalogue was issued in 1874, and a Supplement 1875-77 (pp. iv. 1672). Now
Mr. Quaritch is issuing in sections a new Catalogue on a still larger
scale, which is of the greatest value.
For the study of early printed books, Hain,[24] Panzer,[25] and
Maittaire's[26] books are indispensable.
For general literature Brunet's Manual[27] stands pre-eminent in its
popularity. It has held its own since 1810, when it was first published in
three volumes, demy octavo. Graesse's Trésor[28] is less known out of
Germany, but it also is a work of very great value. Ebert's work[29] is
somewhat out of date now, but it still has its use. Watt's Bibliotheca[30]
is one of the most valuable bibliographies ever published, chiefly on
account of the index of subjects which gives information that cannot be
found elsewhere. The titles were largely taken from second-hand sources,
and are in many instances marred by misprints. Every one who uses it must
wish that it was brought down to date, but it is scarcely likely that any
one will sacrifice a life to such labour as would be necessary. Moreover,
the popular feeling is somewhat adverse to universal bibliographies, and
it is thought that the literature of his own country is sufficiently large
a subject for the bibliographer to devote his time to.
English literature has not been neglected by English bibliographers,
although a full bibliography of our authors is still a crying want.
Complete lists of the works of some of our greatest authors have still to
be made, and it is to be hoped that all those who have the cause of
bibliography at heart will join to remedy the great evil. It would be
quite possible to compile a really national work by a system of
co-operation such as was found workable in the case of the Philological
Society's Dictionary of the English Language. Sub-editors of the different
letters might be appointed, and to them all titles could be sent. When the
question of printing arose, it would be well to commence with the chief
authors. These bibliographies might be circulated, by which means many
additions would be made to them, and then they could be incorporated in
the general alphabet. In such a bibliography books in manuscript ought to
be included, as well as printed books. Although there is little doubt that
many books still remain unregistered, we are well supplied with catalogues
of books made for trade purposes. Maunsell[31] was the first to publish
such a list, and in 1631 was published a catalogue of books issued between
1626 and 1631.[32] William London[33] published his Catalogue in 1658,
and Clavell's his in 1696.[34] Bent's Catalogue, published in 1786, went
back to 1700,[35] and this was continued annually as the London Catalogue.
The British and English Catalogues[36] followed, and the latter is also
published annually.[37]
For early printed books, Ames and Herbert's great work[38] is of much
value, but information respecting our old literature has increased so much
of late that a new history of typographical antiquities is sadly needed.
Mr. Blades has done the necessary work for Caxton, but the first English
printer's successors require similar treatment.
William Thomas Lowndes, the son of an eminent bookseller and publisher,
and himself a bookseller, published in 1834 his _Bibliographer's
Manual_[39] which has remained the great authority for English Literature.
It had become very scarce when Henry Bohn, in 1857, brought out a new
edition with additions in a series of handy volumes, which is an
indispensable book of reference, although it is far from being the
complete work that is required.
Allibone's _Dictionary_[40] contains much that is omitted in Lowndes's
Manual, but it is more literary than bibliographical in its scope. The
well-selected criticisms appended to the titles of the several books are
of considerable interest and value to the reader. Mr. W.C. Hazlitt's
Handbooks[41] are exceedingly valuable as containing information
respecting a class of books which has been much neglected in
bibliographical works. The compiler has been indefatigable for some years
past in registering the titles of rare books as they occurred at public
sales.
Mr. Collier's account of rare books,[42] founded on his Bridgewater
Catalogue (1837), is of great use for information respecting
out-of-the-way literature, as also is Mr. Corser's descriptive Catalogue
of Old English Poetry.[43]
Accounts of books published in Gaelic,[44] in Welsh,[45] and in Irish,[46]
have been published. The works of American authors are included in
Allibone's _Dictionary_, referred to under English literature, but special
books have also been prepared, such as Trübner's Guide,[47] Stevens's
American Books in the British Museum,[48] and Leypoldt's great book, the
American Catalogue.[49] Catalogues of Books on America, such as those of
Obadiah Rich, have also been compiled, but these are more properly special
bibliographies. France has always stood in a foremost position in respect
to bibliography, and she alone has a national work on her literature,
which stands in the very first rank--this is due to the enthusiastic
bibliographer Querard.[50] A better model as to what a national
bibliography should be could not well be found. The catalogue of current
literature, which bears the name of O. Lorenz, is also an excellent
work.[51]
German literature has been, and is, well registered. Heyse,[52]
Maltzahn,[53] Heinsius,[54] and Kayser,[55] have all produced valuable
works. Heinsius published his original Lexicon in 1812, and Kayser his in
1834, and Supplements to both of these have been published about every ten
years. A more condensed work was commenced by A. Kirchhoff in 1856,
containing the catalogue of works published from 1851 to 1855; a second
volume of the next five years appeared in 1861, and since Kirchhoff's
death Hinrichs has published a volume every five years. The Leipzig
Book-fairs have had their catalogues ever since 1594, and the half-yearly
volumes now bearing the name of Hinrichs,[56] which have been published
regularly since 1798, and to which the Fair catalogues succumbed in 1855,
may be considered as their legitimate successors.
The Literature of Holland is well recorded by Campbell[57] and
Abkoude,[58] and for Belgium there is the _Bibliographie de Belgique_.[59]
Italy can boast of a Gamba[60] and a Bertocci,[61] and a public office
publishes the _Bibliografia Italiana_.[62]
Spain is fortunate in possessing a splendid piece of bibliography in the
great works of Antonio.[63] Some years ago, when I was occupied in
cataloguing one of the chief collections of Spanish books in this country,
I was in the daily habit of consulting these _Bibliothecas_, and while
comparing the books themselves with the printed titles, I seldom found a
mistake. Hidalgo's[64] work and the Boletin[65] show that at the present
time bibliography is not neglected in that country.
The works of Barbosa Machado[66] and Silva[67] show that Portugal is not
behind the sister kingdom in the love for bibliography.
Bibliographies of other countries might be mentioned here, but space will
not permit. There is one branch of general bibliography to which special
attention has been paid for a long period of years. O. Placcius published
his _Theatrum Anonymorum et Pseudonymorum_ at Hamburgh in 1674 (2nd ed.
1708). Villani continued the record of pseudonymous literature by
publishing at Parma, in 1689, a small volume entitled _La Visiera alzata_.
J.C. Mylius published his _Bibliotheca Anonymorum et Pseudonymorum_ at
Hamburgh in 1740.
Barbier's great work on the Anonymous in French Literature was first
published in 1806-8, the second edition appeared in 1822-27, and the third
in 1872-78, as a continuation to the second edition of Querard's _Les
Supercheries Littéraires_. Querard's work is more curious than useful,
because the author has entered into minute questions of authorship which
do not really belong to the domain of bibliography. Manne's volume (1834)
is not of much value. Lancetti published an octavo volume on Pseudonyms in
Italian (1836), but Barbier's work was not worthily imitated in any other
country until Mr. Paterson commenced the publication of the very valuable
work of the late Mr. Halkett.[68]
FOOTNOTES:
[19] A Catalogue of the Library of the London Institution, systematically
classed. [London] 1835. 5 vols. royal 8vo. Vol. 1 (1835), General Library;
vol. 2 (1840), Tracts and Pamphlets arranged in alphabetical order as far
as the letter F. (never completed); vol. 3 (1843), General Library,
Additions; vol. 4 (1852), Additions from 1843 to 1852.
[20] Catalogue of the London Library, 12, St. James's Square, S.W. With
Preface, Laws and Regulations, List of Members and Classified Index of
Subjects. By Robert Harrison. Fourth edition. Sold at the Library, 1875,
royal 8vo. pp. 1022.
---- Supplemental Volume, 1875-1880, sold at the Library, 1881, royal 8vo.
pp. 219.
[21] A New Classified Catalogue of the Library of the Royal Institution of
Great Britain with Indexes of Authors and Subjects, and a list of
Historical Pamphlets, Chronologically arranged. By Benjamin Vincent.
London. Sold at the Royal Institution. 1857, 8vo. pp. xvii.-928.
---- Vol. II., including the Additions from 1857 to 1882. London. Sold at
the Royal Institution. 1882. 8vo. pp. xvii.-388.
[22] Catalogue of the Library of the Patent Office, arranged
alphabetically. In two volumes: vol. 1, Authors; vol. 2, Subjects. London.
Published and Sold at the Commissioners of Patents Sale Department.
1881-83. Royal 8vo.
[23] A General Catalogue of Books, offered for sale to the public at the
affixed prices. By Bernard Quaritch London, 15, Piccadilly, 1880. 8vo. pp.
x.-2395.
[24] 1457-1500. HAIN (L.). Repertorium Bibliographicum in quo libri omnes
ab arte typographica inventa usque ad annum MD typis expressi, ordine
alphabetico vel simpliciter enumerantur vel adcuratius recensentur.
Stuttgartiæ, 1826-38. 2 vols. 8vo.
[25] 1457-1536. PANZER (G.W.). Annales Typographici ab artis inventæ
origine ad annum 1536. Norimbergæ, 1793-1803. 11 vols. 4to.
[26] 1457-1664. MAITTAIRE (M.). Annales Typographici ab artis inventæ
origine ad annum 1664, cum Supplemento Michaelis Denisii. Hag. Com. et
Viennæ, 1719-89. 7 vols in 11 parts.
[27] BRUNET (J.C.). Manuel du Libraire, cinquième édition. Paris, 1860-65.
6 vols. 8vo. Supplément par P. Deschamps et G. Brunet. Paris, 1878-80, 2
vols. Royal 8vo.
[28] GRAESSE (J.G.T.). Trésor de Livres rares et précieux ou Nouveau
Dictionnaire Bibliographique. Dresde, 1859-69. 7 vols. 4to.
[29] EBERT (F.A.). Allgemeines bibliographisches Lexikon. Leipzig,
1821-30. 2 vols. 4to.
---- A General Bibliographical Dictionary, from the German [by A. Brown].
Oxford, 1837. 4 vols. 8vo.
[30] WATT (R.). Bibliotheca Britannica: a General Index to British and
Foreign Literature. In two parts, Authors and Subjects. Edinburgh, 1824. 4
vols. 4to.
[31] Before 1595. MAUNSELL (A.). Catalogue of English printed Books.
London, 1595. 4to. Part 1, Divinitie. Part 2, Sciences Mathematicall.
[32] 1626-1631. A Catalogue of certaine Bookes which have been published
and (by authoritie) printed in England both in Latine and English, since
the year 1626 until November, 1631. London, 1631. 4to.
[33] Before 1658. LONDON (WILLIAM). A Catalogue of the most vendible Books
in England, orderly and alphabetically digested. With a Supplement.
1658-60. 4to.
[34] 1666-1695. CLAVELL (R.). General Catalogue of Books printed in
England since the dreadful Fire of London, 1666. Fourth edition. London,
1696. Folio.
[35] 1700-1786. A General Catalogue of Books in all Languages, Arts, and
Sciences, printed in Great Britain and published in London. London (W.
Bent), 1786. 8vo.
1811. London Catalogue of Books. London (W. Bent), 1811. 8vo.
1810-1831. London Catalogue of Books. London (W. Bent), 1831. 8vo.
1816-1851. London Catalogue of Books. London (Hodgson), 1851. 8vo.
Classified Index. London (Hodgson), 1853.
1831-1855. London Catalogue of Books. London (Hodgson), 1855.
[36] 1837-52. The British Catalogue. Sampson Low, 1853. And Index. 2 vols.
8vo.
[37] 1835-1880. The English Catalogue of Books. Sampson Low. And Indexes.
8vo. _Continued annually._
[38] 1471-1600. AMES (JOSEPH). Typographical Antiquities: being an
Historical Account of Printing in England, with some Memoirs of our
Antient Printers, and a Register of the Books printed by them ... with an
Appendix concerning Printing in Scotland, Ireland to the same time.
London, 1749. 4to. 1 vol. Considerably augmented by W. Herbert. London,
1785-90. 3 vols. 4to. Enlarged by T.F. Dibdin. London, 1810-19. 4 vols.
4to.
[39] LOWNDES (W.T.), The Bibliographer's Manual of English Literature.
London, 1834. 4 vols. 8vo. New Edition, by H.G. Bohn. London, 1857-64. 6
vols. Sm. 8vo.
[40] ALLIBONE (S.A.). Dictionary of English Literature, and British and
American Authors. Philadelphia, 1859-71. 3 vols. Royal 8vo.
[41] HAZLITT (W. CAREW). Handbook to the Popular, Poetical, and Dramatic
Literature of Great Britain, from the Invention of Printing to the
Restoration. London (J. Russell Smith), 1867. 8vo.
---- Collections and Notes, 1867-1876. London (Reeves & Turner), 1876.
8vo.
---- Second Series of Bibliographical Collections and Notes on Early
English Literature, 1474-1700. London (Bernard Quaritch), 1882.
[42] COLLIER (J.P.). A Bibliographical and Critical Account of the rarest
books in the English language, alphabetically arranged. London, 1865. 2
vols. 8vo.
[43] CORSER (T.). Collectanea Anglo-Poetica; or a bibliographical and
descriptive Catalogue of a portion of a Collection of Early English
Poetry. Manchester (Chetham Society), 1860-79. 9 vols. Sm. 4to.
[44] _Gaelic._ Bibliotheca Scoto-Celtica; or, an account of all the books
which have been published in the Gaelic Language. By John Reid. Glasgow,
1832. 8vo.
[45] _Welsh._ Cambrian Bibliography: containing an account of the books
printed in the Welsh Language; or relating to Wales, from the year 1546 to
the end of the 18th century. By W. Rowlands. Llanidloes, 1869. 8vo.
[46] _Irish._ Transactions of the Iberno-Celtic Society for 1820.
Containing a chronological account of nearly four hundred Irish writers
... carried down to the year 1750, with a descriptive Catalogue of such of
their works as are still extant. By E. O'Reilly. Dublin, 1820. 4to.
[47] Trübner's Bibliographical Guide to American Literature: a classed
list of books published in the United States of America during the last
forty years. London, 1859. 8vo.
[48] Catalogue of the American Books in the Library of the British Museum.
Christmas, 1856. By H. Stevens. London, 1866. 8vo.
[49] The American Catalogue under the direction of F. Leypoldt. New York,
1880. 2 vols. 4to. Suppl. 1876-84. Compiled under the editorial direction
of R.R. Bowker by Miss Appleton. New York, 1885.
[50] QUERARD (J.M.). La France Littéraire, ou Dictionnaire Bibliographique
des Savants qui ont écrit en français, plus particulièrement pendant les
XVIII^e et XIX^e siècles. Paris, 1827-64. 12 vols. 8vo.
---- Littérature Française contemporaine (1826-49). Continuation de la
France Littéraire. Paris, 1842-57. 6 vols. 8vo.
[51] LORENZ (O.). Catalogue de la Librairie Française 1840-1865. 4 vols.
1866-1875. 2 vols. 8vo. The Catalogue of Books from 1876 to 1885 is in
preparation.
---- Tables des Matières, 1840-1875. Paris, 1879-80. 2 vols. 8vo.
[52] [HEYSE (C.W.).] Bücherschatz der deutschen National-Litteratur des
XVI und XVII Jahrhunderts. Systematisch geordnetes Verzeichniss einer
reichhaltigen Sammlung deutschen Büchen. Berlin, 1854. 8vo.
[53] MALTZAHN (W. VON). Deutschen Bücherschatz des sechszehnten,
siebenzehnten und achtzehnten bis um die Mitte des neunzehnten
Jahrhunderts. Jena, 1875. 8vo.
[54] HEINSIUS (W.). Allgemeines Bücher Lexicon, 1700-1815. Leipzig,
1812-56. 14 vols. 4to. 7th Supplement.
[55] KAYSER (C.G.). Index Librorum. Vollständiges Bücher-Lexicon,
enthaltend alle von 1750 bis zu Ende des Jahres (-1876) in Deutschland ...
gedruckten Bücher. Leipzig, 1834-77. 4to.
[56] HINRICHS (J.C.). Verzeichniss der Bücher ... welche in Deutschland
vom Januar, 1877, bis zum (December, 1885) neu erschienen oder neu
aufgelegt worden sind. Leipzig, 1876-80. 12mo. _In progress._
---- Repertorium über die nach den ... Verzeichnissen, 1871-75,
erschienenen Bücher. Von E. Baldamus. (1876-80.) Leipzig, 1877-82. 12mo.
[57] CAMPBELL (M.F.A.G.). Annales de la Typographie Néerlandaise au XV^e
Siècle. La Haye, 1874. 8vo.
---- 1^{er} Supplément. La Haye, 1878. 8vo.
[58] ABKOUDE (J. VAN). Naamregister van de bekendste ... Nederduitsche
Boeken ... 1600 tot 1761. Nu overzien en tot het jaar 1787 vermeerderd
door R. Arrenberg. Rotterdam, 1788. 4to.
---- Alphabetische Naamlijst van Boeken 1790 tot 1832, Amsterdam, 1835.
4to. 1833-1875. Amsterdam, 1858-78. 3 vols. 4to.
---- Wetenschappelijk Register behoorende bij Brinkman's Alphabetische
Naamlijsten van Boeken ... 1850-75 ... bewerkt door R. van der Meulen.
Amsterdam, 1878. 4to.
[59] Bibliographie de Belgique. Journal Officiel de la Librairie. Année 1.
Bruxelles, 1876. 8vo.
[60] GAMBA (B.). Serie dei testi di Lingua Italiana e di altri opere
importanti nella Italiana letteratura del Secolo XV al XIX. Quarta
edizione. Venezia, 1839. 8vo.
[61] BERTOCCI (D.G.). Repertorio bibliografico delle opere stampate in
Italia nel Secolo XIX. Vol. I. Roma, 1876. 8vo.
[62] Bibliografia Italiana: Giornale compilato sui documenti communicati
dal Ministero dell'Istruzione Pubblica. Anno 1-14. 1867-80. Firenze,
1868-81. 8vo. In progress.
[63] ANTONIO (N.). Bibliotheca Hispana Vetus sive Hispani Scriptores ...
ad annum Christi 1500 floruerunt. Matriti, 1788. 2 vols. Folia.
---- Bibliotheca Hispana Nova sive Hispanorum Scriptorum qui ab anno 1500
ad 1684 floruere notitia. Matriti, 1783-1788. 2 vols. Folio.
[64] HIDALGO (D.). Diccionario general de Bibliografia Española. Madrid,
1862-79. 6 vols. 8vo.
[65] Boletin de la Libreria. Año 1. 1873. Madrid, 1874. 8vo. In progress.
[66] BARBOSA MACHADO (D.). Bibliotheca Lusitana, historica, critica e
cronologica. Na qual se comprehende a noticia dos authores Portuguezes, e
das obras que compuserão. Lisboa, 1741-59. 4 vols. Folio.
[67] SILVA (J.F. DA). Diccionario bibliographico Portuguez. Lisboa,
1858-70. Tom. 1-9. 8vo.
[68] A Dictionary of the Anonymous and Pseudonymous Literature of Great
Britain, including the works of Foreigners written in or translated into
the English Language. By the late Samuel Halkett, and the late Rev. John
Laing. Edinburgh (William Paterson), 1882-85. Vols. 1, 2, 3 (to 'Tis).