An Odyssey in Print
Adventures In The Smithsonian Library
by Mary Augusta Thomas
Smithsonian Institute Press, 2002
Comments: The Smithsonian Institution Libraries have one of the most extensive collections of books in the world. They contain countless volumes of great historical, scientific, or artistic importance, representing the best examples of recorded human endeavor throughout the entirety of printed history. This book, which was prepared by a curator of the Library to accompany an exhibition on its holdings, presents images if a small selection of notable works and brief descriptions about the provenance of each. It's essentially a coffee table book of old books, maps, and illustrations. Many of the works shown are priceless treasures that the public isn't likely to ever encounter anywhere else, and being able to browse these images is as close as most of us will ever come. The book's design and color reproductions are very well done, showing select pages, covers, spreads, handwritten notes, maps, and artwork, usually with no more than one image per work, but one that certainly conveys the uniqueness of each piece. There are also a couple of brief essays on the museum's collection and curatorship, but the real attraction is the objects themselves and their stories. If you love old books, this would be a wonderful addition to your bookshelf.
Copy Notes: Hardback, first edition, color plates, sewn in bookmark ribbon
