"Will always hold an honorable place for bibliophiles." — The University of Chicago PressOne of the earliest treatises on the value of preserving neglected manuscripts, building a library, and book collecting, Richard De Bury's The Philobiblon was written in 1345 and circulated widely in manuscript form for over a century. The first printed edition appeared in Cologne in 1473, and several others soon followed as the invention of the printing press spread throughout the late Medieval world.  The chapter titles of this legendary work reflect its nature, combining the author's love for and commitment to the importance of books and the knowledge they contain with thoughts on collecting them, lending them, teaching with them, and simply enjoying them: "That the Treasure of Wisdom is chiefly contained in books," "What we are to think of the price in the buying of books," "Who ought to be special lovers of books," and "Of the manner of lending all our books to students."  The Prologue ends with the following thought: "And this treatise (divided into twenty chapters) will clear the love we have had for books from the charge of excess, will expound the purpose of our intense devotion, and will narrate more clearly than light all the circumstances of our undertaking. And because it principally treats of the love of books, we have chose after the fashion of the ancient Romans fondly to name it by a Greek word, Philobiblon."This volume offers modern bibliophiles a splendid edition of one of the first books ever to study, define, and, above all, praise their passion: the all-encompassing love of books. 

The Philobiblon (Dover Literature: Nonfiction)

History

de, Bury Richard

Europe

Dover Publications

The Love Of Books: The Philobiblon Of Richard De Bury

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

The Love of Books: The Philobiblon of Richard de Bury

Parenting & Relationships

Kessinger Publishing

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Antiques & Collectibles

Cosimo Classics

"TAKE THOU A BOOK INTO THINE HANDS AS SIMON THE JUST TOOK THE CHILDJESUS INTO HIS ARMS TO CARRY HIM AND KISS HIM.  AND WHEN THOU HASTFINISHED READING, CLOSE THE BOOK AND GIVE THANKS FOR EVERY WORD OUT OFTHE MOUTH OF GOD; BECAUSE IN THE LORD'S FIELD THOU HAST FOUND A HIDDENTREASURE."

Love of Books

Cooper Square Press

Philobiblion: Excellent Traité sur l'Amour des Livres

BiblioLife

The Philobiblon of Richard de Bury, Volume 1

Nabu Press

The Love of Books: The Philobiblon of Richard De Bury

The Philobiblon of Richard De Bury: Introductory Matter and Notes

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