The Book Collectors Society of Australia, Victorian Branch, 1958-1988: a comparative study

The Book Collectors Society of Australia, Victorian Branch, was studied over thirty years. To set the study in context, a comparative model was developed, based on the published histories of six established societies of book collectors in America (Club of Odd Volumes, Grolier Club, Philobiblon Club, Rowfant Club, and Zamorano Club) and Britain (Roxburghe Club). The model incorporates : eight Purposes (critical study of books: sponsorship of publications; promotion of the arts pertaining to book production; promotion of collecting and preservation; encouragement of literary and historical study; union of bibliographies; arrangement of activities for the literary, artistic, social benefit of members; maintenance and development of the society) ; eight Activities (regular meetings; publication of books and keepsakes; visits; dinners, lunches, suppers ; premises; library; exhibitions; development and efficient organization of the society) ; and Comparative Aspects of these Activities, which could be analysed. The generality of the model was tested by a broad examination of the six established societies, and a detailed examination of the Victorian Branch. The purposes and activities f the Victorian Branch conformed with the model, except where lack of a building dedicated to the Society's purposes precluded organization of a library and regular exhibitions. The major focus is the conduct of regular bi-monthly lectures in the Royal Society building, and annual events are Members' Nights and an Annual Dinner. A core of serious collectors maintains s strong Committee, which ensures the relevance of activities and the constitution, and actively maintains membership numbers. An almost complete set of records was collected.