62: Publishers’ Bookbindings, 1830-1910 [B-90]
12-16 July 2004
1) How useful were the pre-course readings?
1: They were very useful. I particularly recommend reading Tryon’s Parnassus Corner, which, though it seems a bit off the subject at hand, was evocative and helpful in a (perhaps) higher way. 2: Excellent and necessary. 3: They were useful indeed! Although I must say, I did not get all my literature in time, and reading Frank Comparato’s Books for the Millions in one day is not really fun. 4: Very. 5: Very helpful in many ways, including work I was already doing. 6: The articles chosen were essential background reading. Those which pictured examples of cloth grains were especially useful preparation. 7: Very useful – essential, I would say, especially SA’s writings. 8: Very useful. 9: Very useful and informative. 10: Very useful.
2) Were the course syllabus and other materials distributed in class useful (or will they be so in the future, after you return home)?
1: Oh, yes, an outstanding bibliography and a wonderful collection of photocopied graphics. Plus: I now have a copy of my own name, as penned by Greer Allen, SA’s husband. 2: Yes. Although the workbook was not handed out until Wednesday – could have used materials earlier. 3: Yes, very much so. 4-5: Very! 6: Yes, particularly the “time line” chart with plenty of room to accompany copious notes. 7: Yes. 8: The “timeline” sheet is a wonderful aid. Great handouts and bibliography. 9: Excellent reference. 10: They will be very useful. 11: A syllabus would have been extremely helpful. The most useful handout is the outline. Course packets were distributed midweek, and then never used or mentioned.
3) What aspects of the course content were of the greatest interest or relevance for your purposes? Was the intellectual level of the course appropriate?
1: The course did exactly what I’d hoped it would. It gave me a more adequate base from which to evaluate, select, and protect c19 books in both the rare and general stacks of my library. More importantly, SA’s passion has inspired me to do so with re-sparked energy. 2: Lectures and looking at books. Identifying books – describing and analyzing color, grain, designer, and date: need more of this, perhaps in the same way you handle DesBib. 3: Every aspect, I think, was of relevance to me. Even though I will not be able to see many American bindings, I will certainly try and apply the style characteristics to our collection of Dutch and foreign books. 4: All of it. Yes. 5: It was all relevant – it is hard to be more specific. 6: More appropriate, perhaps, than intellectual content was the interpretive flair SA brought to her deeply understood subject. She knows the difference between a ready grasp of facts and an intuitive “feel” for, say, a period or a designer – and she emphasizes neither at the expense of the other. 7: Learning to tell the differences among bindings of each decade was a great revelation. Intellectual content was just right. 8: I wanted an overview and got a pretty detailed one by decade. The pace was fairly rapid, but pitched exactly right for this class – no stragglers or zip ahead. 9: I enjoyed every minute of the course. Consistently interesting and inspiring. The intellectual level of the course was appropriate. One of the best courses I have ever taken. 10: The organization of the course into the study of the decades was excellent, and would be of great value. 11: The chronology of binding changes was most interesting and relevant. The information given to class is useful, but would be greatly enhanced by organizing “side stories” (Feely, &c.) into the class chronology.
4) If your course had field trips, were they effective?
1: Yes. Special Collections was closed because of to the more to their new building, but they kindly allowed us to view holdings of theirs in our classroom. Even more special were our three enchanting classes in the Rotunda. So airy, sweet, and timeless. I will never forget them. 2: Yes. 3: I enjoyed being at the Rotunda. What a wonderful place to be and to work. 4: Very much so. 5: I really appreciate that Special Collections would bring books to us in the midst of a major move. 7: Our three sessions in the Rotunda were fabulous! We felt so privileged, and learned a great deal from these visits because we actually worked with the books. 8: N/A. Due to its “move,” Special Collections came to us – much appreciated, as this is always a class highlight. 9: N/A. 10: We went to the Rotunda three times. That was terrific because there we could physically examine the books. We could touch them. 11: The Rotunda was a big hit!
5) What did you like best about the course?
1: The privilege of meeting that distinguished and delightful treasure, SA. Those who can inspire, educate, and at the same time be thoroughly lovable – they make life gratifying. 2: We saw hundreds of books as examples. 3: I loved the way SA can make you enthusiastic about the bindings. I’ll never forget the red clothed book, the striped patterned cloth, and of course, the fine diagonal ribbed cloth. She is a wonderful, energetic, enthusiastic teacher who can really explain things to you. And of course, students in the class were very helpful and enthusiastic in the group discussions! 4: Everything. 5: Learning about, seeing, and examining these beautiful historical materials, on this beautiful and historic campus, with such congenial colleagues, and such an inspiring teacher. It was a unique and wonderful week. 6: Far and away, the hands-on examination of the books available to us in the Rotunda. This “petting zoo” aspect of RBS turned me on! 7: SA – she was able to impart some of her vast knowledge to us in a gentle but clear way. 8: SA’s enthusiasm about her subject. Being able to closely examine (without touching in most instances, but that works fine) so many examples, whilst taking in the benefit of SA’s instruction and, most pleasingly, her wonderful anecdotes. She is a brilliant teacher. 9: I liked SA’s teaching the best. Very enthusiastic instructor. The course was extremely engaging, instructive, and inspiring. 10: SA’s wonderful personality and extensive knowledge. 11: SA! She is wonderful; extraordinarily knowledgeable, and clearly has a “loving relationship” with her research. The course is full of information, and contains more examples than the week can hold. The RBS collections (aided by the skills of Vince Golden) beautifully supplement this course!
6) How could the course have been improved?
1: Hmm. Better ask SA. 3: I cannot think of a thing, or it would be the housing of the class: [the room was] a bit cramped. 4: Can’t think of anything as of now. 5: It is hard to imagine – it is so uniquely SA’s creation and expression. 6: Classroom presentations seemed to me occasionally scattershot and disjoined, but in the end, everything fell into place. Vince Golden, at times positively clairvoyant, was a more than able assistant. 7: Never enough time to get it all at RBS – otherwise, no improvement needed. 8: It is wonderful as it is – and totally recommended. 9: I can’t think of anything that needed improvement. 10: It was wonderful as it was. 11: Course was handicapped by lack of syllabus and clear structure.
7) We are always concerned about the physical well-being both of the RBS teaching collections and of materials owned by UVa’s Special Collections. If relevant, what suggestions do you have for the improved classroom handling of such materials used in your course this week?
2: Mylar covers on books so they can be more safely handled. What about gloves? [Almost all conservators agree that in handling rare printed books, gloves do more damage than they prevent. -Ed.] 4: Not much. Extreme care was exercised at all times. 5: Would have liked the rules to be clearly explained and presented at the start of class. The two letters that appeared at my place after the first break were contradictory in the rules they gave and intimidating to a newcomer, even one experienced in working with archival and special materials. (I was embarrassed because I did not correctly interpret the rules at first. This could have easily been avoided with clearer explanation and presentation.) 6: Okay, we get it: fragile books require special handling. A more rigorous protocol for the handling of teaching materials would come perilously close to fetish. No “improvements” needed in this regard. 7: Things were well handled, no problems. 8: The instructions were very clear and totally understood – this was essential. I was always conscious of being very careful and just doing one thing at a time, book-wise. 9: There was no problem with the treatment of the materials. 10: Everything was handled well on that score. 11: I would suggest a look at some of the in-class time with books. It’s extraordinarily valuable, but things can become chaotic – five or six baskets circling the room at the same time SA is showing something else (often completely unrelated) – it’s hard to look and pass and listen and take notes all simultaneously. It’s wonderful to have so many examples, but if you consistently have to pass them immediately, just to keep from jamming the “basket traffic,” it’s probably worth mulling over.
8) If you attended the Sunday and/or Monday night lectures, were they worth attending?
1: Yes, I attended both. I very much enjoyed TB’s talk. 2: Absolutely. 3: They were very much so. It would be nice if the lectures would be held in the Rotunda! 4: Yes. 5: I had to miss Sunday (plane delayed). Monday was very good. 6: Yes, but I wish a block of time might have been set aside for Q&A following the Malkin Lecture. 7: Yes. 8: Always an essential part of the “RBS experience.” Always good. 9: Yes, the lectures were very informative – and often appropriately amusing. 10: They were good. I always enjoy TB’s presentation, and Mirjam Foot was very fine.
9) If you attended Museum Night, was the time profitably spent?
2: Wonderful. Good spread over two nights. I learned a lot at Printing Surfaces. 3: Yes, it was, although on Wednesday night I had to sit most of the time. They really tire you out here! 4: Yes. 5: Yes, indeed. I learned a lot. 6: You betcha! For me it turned into a practicum on publisher’s cloth bindings. 7: Yes – always interesting and useful. 8: Again, an essential part of the “RBS Experience,” and very relevant for our class subject. A chance to actually handle some of the “casualties” in the RBS collection (book covers, &c.). 9: Yes, Tuesday and Wednesday Museum Nights were very interesting – particularly TB’s demonstrations on Tuesday. 10: Yes.
10) Did you get your money’s worth? Any final thoughts?
1: Oh, yes, totally worth it. I recommend this course even to those who don’t currently think of themselves as being interested in bindings or c19. To those already conscious of such interests, sign up now. 2: Yes. 3: Yes, very much so! 4: Yes, the course was intense and packed with information. 5: Yes. 6: In this class, you get not only bang for the buck, you get fireworks. I’m holding SA personally responsible. 7: Yes, this was a wonderful experience. I learned so much from this course – I’ll never look at a c19 publisher’s book the same way again. Everyone should take this course. 8: This is a fantastic course. Literally “eye opening” and very enjoyable. A must! 9: Yes, the course is well worth the price. Anyone with an interest in this field would enjoy the course. I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying every minute of it. I certainly did. 10: Yes! And kudos to Vince Golden, an important part of making the course a fine one. 11: Thank you, SA!
Number of respondents: 11
Percentages
Leave Tuition Housing Travel
Institution Institution Institution Institution
gave me leave paid tuition paid housing paid travel
55% 55% 55% 45%
I took vaca- I paid tui- I paid for my I paid my own
tion time tion myself own housing travel
0% 27% 45% 55%
N/A: self- N/A: Self- N/A: stayed N/A: lived
employed, re- employed, with friends nearby
tired, or had retired, or or lived at
summers off exchange home
45% 18% 0% 0%
There were three rare book librarians (28%), one archivist/manuscript librarian (9%), one general librarian with some rare book duties (9%), one full-time student (9%), two antiquarian booksellers (18%), one book-collector (9%), one art librarian (9%), and one paralegal (9%).