A guide to the collector of historical documents, literary manuscripts, and autograph letters, etc : With an index of valuable books of reference, where several thousand facsimiles of handwriting may be found for the verification of mss. and autograph letters; also a new edition of Wright's Court-hand restored; with an introductory chapter for the use of students and facsimiles of watermarks / by Rev. Dr. Scott and Samuel Davey, F.R.S.L.

  • Scott, Henry T. (Henry Thomas)
Date:
1891
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A guide to the collector of historical documents, literary manuscripts, and autograph letters, etc : With an index of valuable books of reference, where several thousand facsimiles of handwriting may be found for the verification of mss. and autograph letters; also a new edition of Wright's Court-hand restored; with an introductory chapter for the use of students and facsimiles of watermarks / by Rev. Dr. Scott and Samuel Davey, F.R.S.L. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    followed by most of the chief amateurs. Baron Tremont remarks on this subject: “ With a collection of about 5000 autographs, of which every day I examine several, it was very necessary for me to discover a classification, which would afford the means of instantly placing my hand upon the letter I wanted to see. I tried first of all the alphabetical order, which is generally adopted by catalogues for public sales. But those catalogues rarely contain more than about 600 numbers, and I found it became unsuitable when the numbers amount to many thousands, for a confusion is produced with several similar names, when those explanatory details must be added, necessary for the sale room, but out of place in a private collection. “ The method most clear and simple appears to me to be the classification according to the career or functions of the writers. I have divided these into ten classes, and these again I have sub-divided as many times as have been necessary in order to simplify my researches. The alphabetical order has been followed in each of these sub-divisions. Each autograph, for its preservation, is guarded by a wrapper, on the back of which is inscribed the age to which it belongs, the division in which it is classed, the date of birth and death, and also a brief notice of the principal points of the career of the individual. Added to this there are a portrait and cuttings from a biography, and also from newspapers when they can be obtained.” Where the collection is kept in albums, by far the best method for ordinary letters and documents is the use of the linen or paper guard. A narrow strip of thin paper is folded in half and on the outer margin the edge of the