Much of what is known today of Georgia history was preserved through the diligent efforts of a single family. From Wormsloe, their ancestral plantation near Savannah, the De Rennes built an extraordinary collection of books and manuscripts on the history of the state and the Confederacy, much of which is now housed at the University of Georgia and the Museum of the Confederacy. This book focuses on their efforts in the years 1827 through 1970, conveying the passion and purpose with which they pursued their avocation. William Harris Bragg has mined a vast array of archival sources to present this engaging narrative of the De Renne family. He tells how wealthy bibliophile and philanthropist G. W. J. De Renne and his wife, Mary, set the precedent for the family’s accumulation of historic material, how their son established the Wymberley Jones De Renne Georgia Library that bears his name, and how his children in turn expanded upon that tradition. The De Rennes also printed limited editions of primary historical materials beginning with the series known as the Wormsloe Quartos. Bragg’s account of three generations of the De Renne family vividly records their achievements as it reconstructs their life at Wormsloe and follows them in their travels around the world. It provides glimpses into the dynamics and behavior of one of Georgia’s oldest and most prominent families and the evolution of the southern aristocracy. The book draws on newly available material to expand significantly on Ellis Merton Coulter’s 1955 work, Wormsloe, and provides the most complete account to date of the De Rennes. Beyond the story of the De Renne family, Bragg also reveals much about the history of collecting and of the antiquarian book trade, as well as of the evolution of Georgia historical documentation. Appendix material includes genealogical tables and lists of collections and publications, making De Renne: Three Generations of a Georgia Family an invaluable source for all scholars and aficionados of southern history.

An eclectic view of the book and manuscript collecting and bibliographical activity during nineteenth century Britain is presented. Subjects range from the wealthy, bibliographically knowledgeable members of the aristocrats to others who impoverished themselves and their families in their obsession. Discusses how these collections were instrumental in the advocacy of the public library movement.

This companion sets out to provide in one comprehensive volume much of the essential information required by those who sell antiquarian and secondhand books and by those who buy them. It has been compiled with particular attention to the needs of those who do not have ready access to all the necessary reference sources. The entries - some four hundred and fifty in all - include explanations of many technical terms used in the description of books. Printing illustration, and binding are all covered as are many features of book trace practice. Thirty specially commissioned longer articles provide important studies of the main aspects of the world of antiquarian books. For example, Anthony Rota contributes an introductory article on Bookselling in a Changing World, Henry Woudhuysen writes on Bibliography, Mirjam Foot on Fine Bookbinding, David Chambers on Book Collecting, Robin de Beaumont on Victorian Books, and Lord John Kerr on Book Auctions; all the contributors are authoritative specialists in their various fields. Antiquarian Books includes bibliographical references in the text as well as useful appendices a comprehensive index, and text illustrations. The book is intended primarily for the dealer in antiquarian and second-hand books, but will be of interest to everyone with a professional or personal interest in the subject.