A bookworm or bibliophile is an individual who loves and frequently reads or collects books. Bibliophilia or bibliophilism is the love of books.
Bibliophiles may have large, specialized book collections. They may highly value old editions, autographed copies, or illustrated versions. Bibliophilia is distinct from bibliomania, a compulsive obsession to collect books which can affect interpersonal relationships or health. The term "bibliophile" has been in use since 1820 and has been associated with historical figures like Lord Spencer and J.P. Morgan, who were known for their extensive book collections.
Profile
The classic bibliophile loves to read, admires and collects books, and often amasses a large and specialized collection. Bibliophiles usually possess books they love or that hold special value, as well as old editions with unusual bindings,
, or illustrated copies.
[Holzenberg, Eric. "The Bibliophile as Bibliographer". The papers of the Bibliographical Society of America. 104.4 (2010): 421–431.] "Bibliophile" is an appropriate term for a minority of those who are
Book collecting.
[Carter, John, Nicolas Barker and Simran Thadani. 2016. John Carter's ABC for Book Collectors, p.45. Ninth ed. New Castle Delaware: Oak Knoll Press''.]
History
According to Arthur H. Minters, the "private collecting of books was a fashion indulged in by many
Ancient Rome, including
Cicero and Atticus".
The term
bibliophile entered the
English language in 1820.
A bibliophile is to be distinguished from the much older notion of a bookman (which dates back to 1583), who is one who loves books, and especially reading; more generally, a bookman is one who participates in writing, publishing, or selling books.
Lord Spencer and the Marquess of Blandford were noted bibliophiles. "The Roxburghe sale quickly became a foundational myth for the burgeoning secondhand book trade, and remains so to this day"; this sale is memorable due to the competition between "Lord Spencer and the marquis of Blandford which drove [the price of a probable first edition of Boccaccio's Decameron up to the astonishing and unprecedented sum of £2,260".
See also
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Book collecting
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Bibliophobia
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Oxford University Society of Bibliophiles, UK
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United States:
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Fellowship of American Bibliophilic Societies
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Antiquarian book trade in the United States
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The Book Club of Detroit
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Caxton Club, Chicago
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The Club of Odd Volumes, Boston
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Grolier Club, New York
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Bibliophile mailing list
- Similar terms
Notes
Citations
Further reading
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Bulletin du Bibliophile (1834-) Bulletin du bibliophile (1834). Since 1963 published by the Association Internationale de Bibliophilie.
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Richard de Bury (1902). The Love of Books: "The Philobiblon" translated by E. C. Thomas. London: Alexander Moring
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Thomas Frognall Dibdin (1809). Bibliomania. New York, Henry G. Bohn.
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Harper, H. H. (1904) " Book-Lovers, Bibliomaniacs and Book Clubs" The Riverside Press, Cambridge
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Holzenberg, Eric. "The Bibliophile as Bibliographer". The papers of the Bibliographical Society of America. 104.4 (2010): 421–431.
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Andrew Lang (1881). The Library. London, Macmillan & Co.
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Purcell, M. (2019). The Role of Librarians in a Historical Age of Obsession. Literary Hub.
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Rugg, Julie (2006). A Book Addict's Treasury. London: Frances Lincoln
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Stebbins, Robert A. (2013). The Committed Reader: Reading for Utility, Pleasure, and Fulfillment in the Twenty-First Century. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow.
External links
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Forbes article on bibliomania, by Finn-Olaf Jones, December 12, 2005] (archived 14 September 2007)
