Word: bookmen
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Dates: during 1920-1929
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William Augustus White, for many years a benefactor of the library, died on May 6, 1927. He had occupied a leading position in the ranks of American private collectors. A. S. W. Rosenbach of New York, one of the most prominent bookmen of the country, wrote of him: "Mr. William A. White . . . was among the earliest of our collectors to gather the choice and alluring volumes of the great Elizabethans. His judgment was excellent and he had a vivid understanding of this golden period, equalled by few scholars: He did not hesitate to lend his finest volumes to any student...
...bookmen's contention cannot be accepted as quite altruistic, since the guilds against which they speak undoubtedly remove a certain number of persons who would otherwise buy at their local bookstore. Still, the fundamental argument, that of overemphasis on certain books at the expense of others, is correct. Advertising never improves the quality of the book however much it may affect the sales. And some irreconcilables will always be prejudiced by the fact that a jury has foreordained the success of a novel. The best reason for the maintenance of these book societies is that up to this time...
...founders" of Children's Book Week was Co-Editor Frederic Gershom Melcher of the Publisher's Weekly (trade organ), long high in bookmen's councils. In 1921 he supplied the American Library Association with a medal, named in honor of Publisher John Newbery of England, an early advocate of particular books for particular small people. This medal was to be awarded annually to that U. S. writer who should make the "most distinguished" contribution to U. S. literature for children. It was no secret that Mr. Melchei hoped by this ruse to induce able writers to turn...