Discussion

By Joe Treacy on Jul 14, 2023

Bound-book encyclopedias are such an eye-opener to wander through, even in the internet age. Like all books, they’re a great opportunity and invitation to look away from RGB screens for awhile.

Growing up, my grandparents had an especially interesting, somewhat specialized reference set that we inherited, called The Book of Modern Marvels. It helped open US eyes to the world, its cultures and histories.

My parents started bringing home a beautifully and crisply foil stamped Funk & Wagnall’s volume every week or two at the supermarket.

There was something sparkling and tactilely compelling about that crisp binding that demanded you stop and linger awhile with it. Of course, tgey were very handy with homework.

Looking back and considering supermarketing’s focus on adding to order with cup & saucer sets, it’s amazing they allowed in Funk & Wagnall’s to try to smarten up the riffraff.

Of course, multi-volume sets and revealing the next initialed installment every week or two was a perfect way to get shoppers with kids (primarily) to keep coming back after they had all the cup & saucer sets cabinets could hold.

Frank, glad to see your emphasis on encyclopedias amongst the truly voluminous print collection at the Museum of Printing. Bravo!