BOOK CLUB, a private association print ing books for a limited number of subscribers. The members are usually learned men, and in this way render accessible rare books and manu scripts. The earliest of these clubs was the Roxburghe Club (instituted 1813), which was convivial as well as literary, and imposed on each member the cost of reprinting one publica tion. Its work was comparatively unimportant. With the Bannatyne Club, founded by Sir Walter Scott in 1823, began the reprinting of really important works. Other English clubs of this sort have done excellent and valuable work, among them the Camden Society (1838), whose publications relate to English history, the Percy Society (1840-52), the Hakluyt So ciety (1846) and the Early English Text So ciety (1864).
In America there were in Colonial and Rev olutionary times a number of literary societies which published the writings of their own mem bers; such was the Junto founded by Franklin in 1726. The first association established for the purpose of publishing was the 'Seventy-six Society formed in 1854, whose publications re late to the American Revolution. This Society
existed for three years only, and was followed by ((The Club'> in New York, and by the ford Club. In 1858 the Prince Society of Boston was established, and it still continues its work of publication. From 1858 to 1876 a large number of clubs were formed whose work was neither important nor valuable. In 1876 the Brooklyn Historical Printing Club was established, continuing its operations until 1902. It did most excellent work on historical lines. The foremost of all American clubs of this sort is the Grolier Club of New York, formed in 1884 with 50 members, now number ing about 400. Its beautiful club-room forms an ideal meeting place for the scholar and the bibliophile. Its publications are of a literary and bibliographical character and are noted for their elaborate and artistic make-up.