The week I've spent at Rare Book School has been well worth it. I have a notebook full of ideas to plow through and organize into bits and bites that I'll incorporate into my work in the Rare Book Room at WVU. Our instruct0r, Alice Schreyer, provided each member of the class with a comprehensive workbook covering everything we discussed in class. I'm looking forward to spending more time with it. I'll be taking it to work with me where it will serve as a reference, like the workbooks for the other RBS courses I've taken.
One of the most memorable and impressive exhibits I saw last week was Terry Belanger's interpretation of John Carter's ABC for Book Collectors in 3-D! Carter's text is not illustrated and readers have often wished for pictures to define the descriptions. Rare Book School has done an admirable job creating what they refer to as 3-D Carter by compiling a collection of books to match each description. Just pick out a term from Carter, such as 'gauffered edges" found on page 113, then search a shelf at Rare Book School to find the corresponding book illustrating the term. I was delighted to locate three fine examples of "gauffered edges" on the Carter bookcase.
Gauffred or Gauffred, or Goffered Edges
Gilt (or silvered) edges decorated by the impression of heated tools, usually of the Pointille type.
This is a fine description and serves as a simple explanation of the term but the reader simply has no idea how beautiful gauffered edges can be until an example, or two or three of varying patterns, has been examined. Click here for an example: http://lu.com/odlis/odlis_e.cfm. Viewing an image is great, but seeing examples first hand is the best way to understand terminology and broaden experience. Belanger's Carter in 3-D is an extremely helpful tool. I spent a good deal of time on Wednesday's Study Night examing as many items as I could. Carter in 3-D is a terrific resource.
And yes, it's great to be back home!
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1 comment:
Hi Stuart, Just found your blog. I'm so glad you documented every day the course - it is great to be able to refer to it (as well as my scrawled notes!)I've just got back to work an dneed to consolidate my experience into at least an article for our library magazine. Hope your course is going well! Keep blogging! Emma (the Australian contingent!)
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