THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE

In placing this second edition before his fellow book-lovers, the
author would like to take the opportunity of thanking the
numerous correspondents who have written to him from all parts of
the world. In truth book-collecting establishes a bond between
its devotees that is effected by no other pursuit.

The first edition was put forth only after much hesitation, and
with a good deal of fear and trembling: that a second edition
would ever be required was unthinkable. But since the book has so
obviously been the means of bringing pleasure to so many, the
author feels that it is his duty to bring this second edition 'up
to date,' to make it as perfect as his poor skill allows.
Accordingly the volume has been revised throughout, a number of
additions have been made, both to the text and in the matter of
footnotes, and the prices of books have been amended according to
present conditions. Three illustrations have been added.
QUALITY COURT,
July, 1921.

CONTENTS

CHAP PAGE
I. ADVENTURES AMONG BOOKS 1
II. THE LIBRARY 31
III. BOOKS WHICH FORM THE LIBRARY 58
IV. CHIVALRY AND ROMANCE 84
V. THE CARE OF BOOKS 106
VI. THE CARE OF BOOKS (_Continued_) 126
VII. BOOKS OF THE COLLECTOR 160
VIII. A PLEA FOR SPECIALISM 194
IX. A PLEA FOR SPECIALISM (_Continued_) 230
INDEX 267

ILLUSTRATIONS

THE BOOK-HUNTER AT HOME _frontispiece_
THE PERON page 96
THE HALL OF THE KNIGHTS " 104
THE HOME-MADE LIBRARY " 128

[Illustration]

CHAPTER I

ADVENTURES AMONG BOOKS

'Thou shalt make castels thanne in Spayne.'

CHAUCER.

IT is a sad truth that bargains are met with more frequently in our youth
than in our age. The sophist may argue that age begets philosophy, and
that philosophy contemns all worldly things; yet certain it is that the
book-hunter, one of the most philosophical of beings, remains on the
look-out for bargains to the very end of his career. Nevertheless, it is
a fact that in youth alone do we make thos