PBA Galleries

Approximately 85 pages of neatly handwritten records. Comprising approximately one-half of the pages in a period account book, the remaining pages blank. 24x20.5 cm. (9½x8") original half morocco and marbled boards.

A wonderful account book, detailing the forming of a gentleman's library in the mid-19th century. The collector, Edward Swift Buckley, was an ironmaster, Trustee of the Episcopal Academy and Director of the Philadelphia Saving Fund. Buckley's purchases including classics of English and American literature, historical works in English and French, and other contemporary and antiquarian works. Many custom bound for him by Riviere and other European binderies. Also recorded are expenses for the construction of bookcases as the collection grew. Over the span of the 7 years here recorded, some 800 volumes were purchased at a cost of over $3,000. Included among the entries are copies of letters written to English booksellers John Pennington and Wm. Straker regarding purchases and desired volumes. A fascinating account of a mid-19th century bibliophile, well deserving of further study.