Dear list readers,
For those of you who follow such things, I am still hard at work on my history and census of the Hinman Collator, tentatively titled THE HINMAN COLLATOR AS AN AGENT OF CHANGE. Just kidding. No really.
I am now writing up the chapter dealing with all the bibliographical machines, methods, devices, gadgets, and gizmos inspired by, or at least invented or proposed after, the Hinman. These devices include machines for textual collation as well as gadgets to perform other bibliographical functions. I am interested in tracking down information on or perhaps even surviving examples of two devices from the later category.
1. The Martin Lamp was developed by Kenneth Povey and introduced in the pages of Studies in Bibliography ( vol. 13, 1960, 189-190). This was a homemade device, really a kind of flashlight, for distinguishing the "hillocks" left by the second forme impression. It probably was not but may have been commercially manufactured. I would appreciate hearing from anyone with information or experience with this device, or (hope against hope) anyone with a surviving example of one of these gadgets.
2. The Bibliographical Collation Compiler was advertised in the pages of the old AB Bookman's Weekly ("New Collation Computer," Antiquarian Bookman, 4 January 1965, 732). This little darling was a kind of bibliographical slide rule used for determining the "proper number of leaves and pages" once the collation of a book was ascertained. It was invented by Harrison D. Horblitt and offered for sale by the bookseller John F. Fleming. It sold for $7.50. Again, I would appreciate hearing from anyone who used one of these devices and especially (heart be still) from anyone who may still have one.
Reply to me unless you think your response may be of interest to the entire list.
Thank you
Steven
Steven Escar Smith
C. Clifford Wendler Professor,
Special Collections Librarian
Cushing Memorial Library
Texas A&M University
5000 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-5000
(979) 845 1951