The ABC of Collecting Everyman's Library
The gilt floral spines and petite dimensions of the Everyman's Library series ring familiar to anyone who has frequented used bookstores or explored a dusty attic. A new exhibit at UNC's Wilson Library will examine the 102-year history of Everyman's Library, beginning with those first iconic volumes issued in 1906.
Joseph Malaby Dent founded Everyman's Library in London with the goal of publishing 1,000 classic titles in beautiful and widely affordable editions. "The ABC of Collecting Everyman's Library: Archives, Books, Collections," on exhibit January 17 through March 31, 2008, will showcase 107 historic Everyman's titles, along with advertising, bookmarks and business records from the J.M. Dent & Sons archive in Wilson Library.
Independent scholar Terry Seymour will speak about "The Adventures of a Collector" in a free public program January 17, 2008, at 5:45 p.m., in the Pleasants Family Assembly Room in Wilson Library. Seymour is the author of A Guide to Collecting Everyman's Library, published in 2005. Items from his personal collection will be on loan to UNC as part of the exhibit. For program information, contact Liza Terll at (919) 962-4207.
Dent, said Seymour, was "something of a tyrant and a penny-pincher, but also a visionary. He wanted to make money, but he had a lot of idealism, too." A self-educated man, Dent believed strongly in publishing great books with high production standards and selling them at the affordable price of a shilling each. The idea, said Seymour, "succeeded beyond Dent's wildest dreams."
Libby Chenault, exhibit curator and rare book librarian, said that the exhibit will be both a celebration of Everyman's Library and a chance for people to learn more about collecting. "There's nothing quite like Everyman's Library," she said. "The books are familiar, they're beautiful, and, even today, many cost less than $20 each. They're a wonderful window into the excitement of building a personal collection of books, or anything else."
"The ABC of Collecting Everyman's Library" is free and open to the public in the Melba Remig Saltarelli Exhibit Room on the third floor of Wilson Library. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, except holidays. Contact the Rare Book Collection at (919) 962-1143 for exhibit information.
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