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BOOK LIFE: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF DAVID SCOTT MITCHELL.
Chanin, Eileen
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Australia's greatest book collector, David Scott Mitchell, gave his extraordinary library and a bequest for its development to the people of Sydney and the world. Book Life: The Life and Times of David Scott Mitchell, by Eileen Chanin, is the first comprehensive account of his life and collecting, told through books, readings, and contemporary correspondence.
Mitchell was a man of astoundingly diverse interests whose collection was not merely for show or posterity, but was, in fact, his own personal reading library. Thus, we can learn much about him by examining his books. Previously labeled as an enigma and portrayed as recluse, Mitchell's true self is revealed through this book. Many books in his collection were written by people he knew, and letters reveal a more socially connected Mitchell than ever seen before. Chanin also delves into the historical events he lived through and their impact on his life and collection.
The growth of Australia from an island of criminals to a legitimate nation happened almost literally during Mitchell's lifetime. Mitchell collected books on Australian history before it was even studied at Melbourne University. Without his contributions, it is unlikely that a full history of Australia could be written.
In the foreword, Bob Carr, former Premier of New South Wales, praises Mitchell's benevolence and hails the Mitchell Library as the "DNA of Australia." The story of his life and collection is important to the story of Australia as a nation and is "in danger of slipping from history."
This book features dozens of color illustrations and black-and-white photographs. Also included are notes, bibliography, index, a list of dramatis personae and several family trees.
The first edition sold out within six months - ahead of news that the book was awarded the 2011 Alex Buxo Prize and shortlisted for the prestigious Waverley Library Award for Literature sponsored by the Copyright Agency Limited's Cultural Fund. The book was also one of five books shortlisted for the 2012 Magarey Medal for Biography, awarded by the Australian Historical Association.
Available in Australia from Australian Scholarly Publishing
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More On This Subject - -
> MITCHELL, DAVID SCOTT
> AUSTRALIA
> BIOGRAPHY, NINETEENTH CENTURY
> BOOK COLLECTING, NINETEENTH CENTURY
> LIBRARY HISTORY, NINETEENTH CENTURY
> OAK KNOLL PRESS
> NEW
Books of related interests - -
> Leeson, Ida, THE MITCHELL LIBRARY, SYDNEY, HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE NOTES.
> Clarke, Marian G. M., DAVID WATKINSON'S LIBRARY: ONE HUNDRED YEARS IN HARTFORD CONNECTICUT, 1866-1966
> Kerr, Donald Jackson, AMASSING TREASURES FOR ALL TIMES: SIR GEORGE GREY, COLONIAL BOOKMAN AND COLLECTOR
> Robertson, Anne, TREAURES OF THE STATE LIBRARY OF NEW SOUTH WALES, THE AUSTRALIANA COLLECTIONS.
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WINDJAMMERS
by Gleason, Duncan
This is copy number seven. Colophon signed by the designer, printer & binder Joe D'Ambrosio. It was printed using 14pt Della Robbia type on Rives BFK paper. Ingres marbled paper used for the box structure and endpapers. The front board creates a frame shaped like billowing sail. Behind it is French marbled paper with intersecting white cords used to suggest rigging ropes. (A Memoir of Book Design 1969-2000, page 106-107). This book is made from the limited edition plates created in 1973. In 1922, Duncan Gleason (1881-1959) created a series of copper etchings for the etched book Windjammers. Although the publisher planned 325 copies, probably not more than 100 pulls were made from the plates. No other editions or states of these etchings other than the 1973 edition printed at Triad Graphics in a limited edition of 25 numbered impressions. There are no signed or unnumbered impressions other than 10 publishers proofs which are so marked. The edition including the publishers proofs was done on Murillo paper using brown ink. There are a total of 50 trial proofs of various etchings done in black or brown ink and are marked as such. Each etching is impressed with the blind stamp of the Gallery Easel ( from the Certificate of the 1973 edition). Card from Lorson's Books & the certificate of the 1973 edition are laid-in. Case is somewhat faded on spine.
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