Théophile Steinlen's 1896 poster for the cabaret group Le Chat Noir. Public domain.

When you notice a cat in profound meditation,
    The reason, I tell you, is always the same:
His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation
    Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name:
        His ineffable effable
        Effanineffable
Deep and inscrutable singular Name.

"The Naming of Cats," by T. S. Eliot (1939)

Here is the news from FABS for October. 

The Manuscript Society is seeking an Executive Director, to begin on or before Feb. 1, 2025. The position is part-time and allows remote work. The details are available here. The Manuscript Society is an international organization of people and institutions devoted to the collection, preservation, use and enjoyment of autograph letters, documents and manuscripts, maps, and more.

In Memoriam

Philadelphia Bookman David Szewczyk died on Sunday September 8. David founded and directed a new Rare Book Department at William H. Allen, where he met Cynthy Buffington. In 1984, the two established the Philadelphia Rare Books & Manuscripts Company, beloved among collectors for its learned, whimsical website and book descriptions. Cynthy wrote of David’s career:

“But ace bookseller and appraiser that David was, he was at  heart a librarian; at heart of hearts, he was a cataloguer and paleographer.  He held Bachelor of Arts degrees from Temple University in History and Spanish and Master of Arts degrees in the same disciplines from Indiana University, did post-Master's work at the University of Texas at Austin, and was the author of several scholarly publications. A former Ford and Fulbright scholar and holder of a cataloguing grant for manuscripts from the National Endowment for the Humanities, he worked for two major American rare books libraries ~ Lilly Library and the Rosenbach Foundation ~ having been, surely, one of the last among apprenticeship-trained librarians, bred at the Lilly under David Randall and legendary others there.”

ABAA Interviews: David Szewczyk on bookselling

Our sympathies to Cynthy and to David’s family.

Upcoming FABS Member Society Online/Virtual Events: Free and Open to the Public 

*NOTE: your friendly newsletter editor is traveling this week, so the October issue will have two parts. Part One covers September talks not posted last month plus what I've gleaned so far for October. When I return from my bookish adventures, I will issue Part 2 for October.

September 30: The Windle-Loker lecture series on the History of the Illustrated Book will be delivered by Grolier Club Executive Director Declan Kiely. His talk is entitled "The White Whale: Moby-Dick Illustrated." (The Book Club of California)

September 26: William Claspy of the Kelvin Smith Library at Case Western on "Charles Dickens in America." Claspy will discuss the library's manuscript letters and a previously unpublished letter written by Dickens on his first visit to America in 1842 (NOBS)

October 1: Ann Lindsey, head of conservation at the University of Chicago's library, will speak on poisonous pigments in books and other archival materials (The Caxton Club)

October 11: The Tauchnitz firm of Leipzig published editions in English for distribution in Europe. Charles Johanningsmeier will discuss the highly collectible Tauchnitz editions, which popularized British and American authors abroad, while introducing a new paperback format.

October 14: FABS Handpress Era Zoom Group. David DiLaura will speak on John Peckham's Perspectiva Communis, the most widely used optics text in the medieval period, and its journey to print. After Q&A we'll have OPEN MIC for the 16th Century! Show any book or printed item from the 1500s. For a link contact Jennifer Larson, info@fabsocieties.org

October 17: FABS 19th Century Zoom Group. Congenial conversation on all things bookish and 19th century. You are welcome! To join this list contact Jennifer Larson, info@fabsocieties.org

October 21: FABS Bindings Zoom Group. Renate Mesmer, Conservator, will speak on the renovation of the Folger Shakespeare Library and the conservation arrangements made for the First Folios over the 5-year period. To join this list contact Jennifer Larson, info@fabsocieties.org

October 22: FABS Living With Books Zoom Group. The FABS Living With Books Zoom Group, hosted by Reid Byers, invites you to their lively monthly discussion of home libraries, with all their pleasures and paraphernalia. Recent discussions have included cataloging, lighting, photographing books, bookmarks, and much more. To join this list contact Jennifer Larson, info@fabsocieties.org.

Stay tuned to the FABS Calendar, as more events are sure to be posted soon.

Contact: Jennifer Larson, info@fabsocieties.org