The JSA has received a magnificent gift from our Patron, Lady Eccles.--a copy of James Boswell's Book of Company at Auchinleck 1782-1795, whichis edited by Lady Eccles. This superb folio volume, quarter-bound in leather,reproduces James Boswell's visitor's book. It was originally presentedto the members of the Roxburghe Club, the most distinguished book collectingsociety in the world, of which each member is expected to produce a volumefor distribution to its 43 members. I will bring this superb book to Melbournefor the annual seminar for JSA members to inspect.
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After my visit to London last year when, as reported on other pages,I attended the Johnson birthday celebrations at Lichfield, I spent somedays in Greece. Greek book production is of a very high standard. At anew bookshop, Biblia Xaptika, I bought a splendid copy of Conan Doyle'sThe Sign of Four printed on beautiful creamy paper, unopened, issued inwrappers ready to be bound for the purchaser's library - a continentaltradition.
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On a brief business trip to Washington in November, I visited the FolgerShakespearian Library - the world's greatest collection of early Shakespearianvolumes. Copies of early folios are always on display, but I was very interestedin an exhibition of "housewifely" books from the 16th and 17thCenturies. This was simply the best curated book exhibition I have seen.As well as displaying the rare and beautiful books, the curator had alsoproduced the household goods described in the texts - soaps, preserves,medicines, etc.
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In Washington, I also visited the Library of Congress and the SupremeCourt of the United States. From these institutions, and the Folger Library,I bought some souvenir silk ties on a bookish theme. The Folger Librarytie features Shakespearian characters and manuscripts.
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A was recently given an unusual piece of Johnsoniana by a Perth friend,Vincent Martin, who made me a gift of a piece of oak from Dr Johnson'sschool, Edial Hall. The small piece of highly polished timber is enclosedin a box on which Dr Johnson's image is stamped in gold. The appearanceof the box and the small card inside suggests the souvenir was preparedin the 1920s. Edial Hall no longer exists, and someone with a sense ofhistory decided to prepare these little mementos. I have never seen themmentioned in any Johnson catalogue over the past 20 years.
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Members will be saddened to hear of the death of one of our UK members,Norman Godsmark, who died at his home in Scarborough in November. Norman,one of our earliest overseas members, was a retired architect and long-timecollector of Johnson and Boswell. On retirement, he began a new careeras a book dealer specialising in his field of interest. Living in the northof England, he was able to pick up many treasures that had eluded he Londondealers. He was one of only two specialist Johnson/Boswell dealers andhis death is a sad loss to his fellow collectors. I am told that his personalcollection will be sold by auction later this year - a sale which willattract considerable interest.