
A practical guide for anyone who feels a genuine affection for books, this work walks readers through the whole life of a volume—from the fibers of the paper to the elegance of its binding. Written in an accessible, conversational tone, it demystifies the craft of bookmaking and offers clear advice on choosing, purchasing, and judging works based on their content rather than mere luxury.
The author then turns to the art of arranging a personal collection, suggesting sensible furniture, shelving ideas, and simple classification systems that suit modest budgets. Detailed sections on preservation cover everything from humidity and pests to proper handling, ensuring that treasured volumes stay in good condition for years to come. With occasional anecdotes and references to earlier scholars, the book feels both instructional and warmly reflective, making it an ideal companion for curious students, budding bibliophiles, and anyone eager to turn a modest stack of books into a well‑ordered, enjoyable library.
Full title
Une bibliothèque L'art d'acheter les livres, de les classer, de les conserver et de s'en servir
Language
fr
Duration
~10 hours (618K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Carlo Traverso, Laurent Vogel and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF/Gallica) at http://gallica.bnf.fr)
Release date
2019-12-30
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1845–1924
A lively French man of letters, he moved easily between novels, literary criticism, and bibliography. His work shows a deep affection for books and for the writers, songs, and literary worlds that shaped 19th-century France.
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