Today I almost got through the whole Keach collection, and I realized my 600 volumes estimate was way off, it’s more like 300. Most of the books today were in the 800’s – literature, for those non-librarians out there. Lots of Shakespeare sonnets, some Dante, Spencer and Donne. Most of them were published in the 1700’s.
The neat thing I encountered today was that several of the books had WorldCat records tucked inside that show that the only other libraries that own the books were Princeton, Yale and Johns Hopkins, in one case. These books must be exceedingly rare and it was an honor to get to handle them.
I've gotten the rhythm down of processing these old books: wipe top of pages, blow off remaining dust, set down gently, open to the title page, confirm publication info against master list, record Dewey number and any damage, and put back on shelf. It's going a lot faster now.
Best title of the day: Silent Gods and Sun-Steeped Lands
Best book: A Lecture on Heads. I wish I had time to copy down some passage from it, it was a hilariously-serious satire of phrenology.
Best book: A Lecture on Heads. I wish I had time to copy down some passage from it, it was a hilariously-serious satire of phrenology.
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