BIBLIOMANIA, or book-madness, is a word recently formed from the Greek to express the passion for rare and curious books, which has manifested itself to such an extent during the last century. 1Vhile the ordinary collector is satisfied with the possession of works which are valuable either on account of their established reputation, or as assist ing him in his literary or professional pursuits, the bibliomaniac is actuated by other motives. With him utility is of secondary importance, rarity being the first and great requisite. Thus even a common book becomes valuable in his eyes, if it be one of a few copies thrown off on vellum or on large paper, or if it has been bound by Derome, Bozerian, Lewis, or Payne; and for the same reason, he sometimes prefers an inferior to a better article. The facsimile reprint of the Giunta edition of Boccaccio's Dccameron (Florence, 1527) fetches hardly as many shillings as the original does pounds, yet the great distinguishing difference between them is, that the former is the handsomer and more correct of the two.
The formation of complete sets of such books as the Elzerir Republics (see EazEvnt), or of the works of a single author, provided they be scarce, is a favorite pursuit with many. The editions of the classics most prized by collectors are those of the Elzevirs and of the Foulises (q.v.). The original editions of Defoe's numerous productions are
eagerly sought for at present.
B. seems to have reached its climax at the sale of the library of the duke of Rox burghe in 1812. Amongst the treasures which that library contained, was the only per fect copy, known to exist. of the first, or at least the first dated edition of Boccaccio's Decameron (Venice, Christ. Valdarfer, 1471). After a spirited competition with lord Spencer, this volume was purchased by the marquis of I3landford for the sum of £2260, the highest price perhaps ever paid for a single book. When the collection of the mar quis came under the hammer in 1819, lord bpenscr secured this precious tome at the large yet more moderate cost of £918 15s. It is uow, we believe, in his lordship's library at Althorp.
One of the results of the Roxburghe sale was the establishment of the Roxburgh° club, the object of which was to reprint, for the use of the members only, works hitherto unedited. or of extreme rarity. The example thus set was speedily followed by tho Bannatyne and Maitland clubs in Scotland, and by many more in other parts of the kingdom. Some of these are defunct, and others are in a moribund state. It remains to be seen in what new form the B. of the present day will develop itself.