London:: Printed For The Royal Academy Of Arts, By W. Clowes And Sons, Stamford Street and Charing Cross., 1877.
Physical Description
viii, 314 p.; 249 mm. (Octavo.)
Contents
[Half-t., t.p.] - Observations On The Contents Of The Library Of The Royal Academy Of Arts. 1877 - [Text]; [colophon].
Responsibility Note
The 'Observations' are printed above the name, 'Solomon Alexander Hart, R.A., Librarian. Royal Academy Of Arts, Burlington House, December, 1877.' The Observations conclude with Hart's acknowledgment of 'the Librarian of the Athenæum Club, H.R. Tedder, Esq., who has compiled the present Catalogue and superintended its publication.'
The printers' name is repeated in the colophon.
References
On the compiler, H.R. Tedder see R.J. Busby, Henry Richard Tedder FSA 1850-1924 [dissertation, Library Association] (1974).
Summary Note
This catalogue, unlike its forerunners, is not arranged by subject but in alphabetic order of author, with a few titles and subject-headings interspersed for anonymous or institutional publications. There is no subject index. The text lists works but not their locations in the library.
In his 'Observations' S.A. Hart writes on the scope and function of the library: 'The Library of the Royal Academy of Arts, considered in relation to the didactic function of the Institution, is necessarily of a special kind. Its scope should obviously be confined to the more important works illustrative of the history, the theory, and the practice of the Arts of Architecture, Sculpture, and Painting ... As an Institution already exists which possesses a valuable library in reference to Architecture, ir is not desired to compete ... There is, then, no difficulty in accumulating volumes, but there is in finding accommodation for them ... the books were removed in 1875 to the apartment, originally designed as a ball-room, which they now occupy in Burlington House ... The space available is, however, daily diminishing ... the attention of successive Councils has been called to the necessity of making the Library a factor in the teaching power worthy of a College of Art ... The Library now (Christmas, 1877) comprehends nearly 4500 volumes, having grown since the year 1865 ... from about 3000 volumes.' On the arrangement of the catalogue he writes: 'It has been here thought advisable for present purposes to commence with an alphabetical arrangement, aided by an elaborate system of cross references ... It will be reserved for no distant date, as has been said, to publish an analytical classification.' And on accessibility he observes, 'Although the contents of the Library have been selected for the use of the Students and Members, reference is not necessarily restricted to them. The Academy has always permitted reference to its shelves upon a proper introduction ....'
Printed catalogues of the Royal Academy's Library were published in 1802, 1821, 1841, 1864, 1877 and 1901.
There are several marginal annotations in pencil, chiefly relating to locations.
Binding Note
Contemporary red cloth, upper and lower covers having ruled borders stamped in blind; spine lettered 'Catalogue Of Books In The Library Royal Academy Of Arts London'.
Arts - Art - History
Books - Collections - Libraries - Great Britain - London - 19th century
Catalogues - Bibliographies - Great Britain - 19th century