SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
[Under this. heading we ;take su.ch Books of the week as hare not been reserved for. review in ether forms.] The Business of Bookbinding.. By Alexander J. Philip. (Stanley Paul and CO. 6s. net.)—This book is 'severely practical in method. Its ehject is to give a detailed description of modern methods of bookbinding—or rather of book production, for it goes consider- ablyibeyond the artof the binder—and to enable the purchaser to judge of the real value of, goods submitted to him and Of the wisdom or 'folly of modern- principles of -book production. The- author's. real motive is the- desire to make an effective- protest against the cheapening. process which has, according to -'his view, already ruined the art of book production, and is likely' o newt injuriously upon both. authors and public; inasmuch as it tends to make the supply of a purely temporary-demand the main object of literature. Even the cheap repaint. of good_literature is included in the author's anathema as being- in effect nothing but a...visible effort "to coax the public to buy hooks by quantity which they cannot obtain in quality." Here one cannot but suspect Mr. Philip. of ignoring the primary. object of a. book, which is that it should. be _ read. If it is to be widely read it must be cheep, and there can, be no doubt that the cheap reprint serves a useful purpose. But. that the art of producing fine Permanent volumes should entirely disappear is both unneces- spry and. deplorable, and though. there. can be little doubt that the standard Qt. production has fallen considerably in, recent years, there is.no. reason why a determined effort oribelialf of the trade inid. public 'should net restore it. Towards- such.a, restoration the recent investigations of the Book Production Committee of the Library 'Association and the labours of such. enthusiasts as Mr. iiip must give invaluable help, and it is to he hoped. that this little volume,. which, is convenient, in form,. dearly written, and well illuitral9d find' audtoonvinee. nianyreadera
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