Re: "Collated & perfect" (fwd)

[Helen Kahn <hrkahn@core-net.com>]

I believe Mr. Kidd's interpretation of the pencilled date on the final page
to be correct. Some years ago we purchased a collection of books in Eastern
Canada, each one of which was annotated on the final page : "Acquired
such-and-such a date; finished such-and-such a date". This would seem to be
a similar situation.
Helen R. Kahn
hrkahn@core-net.com

At 09:01 AM 10/23/96 -0700, you wrote:
>On Thu, 17 Oct 1996, Mr R Overell  noted:
>> 
>> Late in the 18th century Michael Wodhull was in the habit of noting 
>> that the books in his collection were "collated complete".
>> 
>
>Since Wodhull's annotations have been mentioned, perhaps I may ask a 
>tangential question.
>
>As well his characteristic  inscriptions relating to on the date, source, 
>and cost of volumes, and of their binding (see de Ricci, _English 
>Collectors of Books and Manuscripts..._, p.81 ff.), Wodhull also 
>frequently added a date on the flyleaf facing the last page of text, in 
>both printed books and manuscripts.  Has anyone been able to work out what 
>these dates refer to? I have been able to find no pattern in those I have 
>examined.  Since they seem so random, my only guess is that they record 
>the date on which he finished reading the book.  Does anyone have any 
>views as to whether this is likely or unlikely?
> 
>Peter Kidd
>pjk@bodley.ox.ac.uk
>
>
>