Although Jim's phrasing in his message (which I think he intended to  
be private) might be interpreted in the way Germaine suggests, I  
think that there is an important observation behind it. I studied  
under Thomas Tanselle and his influence pursues me to this day, so I  
consider bibliographical and codicological studies a very important  
part of textual scholarship.
History of the Book, however, is currently being debated (perhaps  
because we lack a clear definition of what it is) and this is a whole  
other issue. As some of you know, Peter Shillingsburg organized a  
round table in Leicester yesterday in an attempt to answer "What is  
book history?" Those of us who were able to attend found a  
challenging panel of serious scholars considering this question. If I  
understood correctly (those who were here are invited to point out  
whether I misunderstood something), Sukanta Chaudhuri gave a precise  
definition of the subject by stating that it referred to non-material  
aspects of the book such as trade and circulation, the history of the  
publication process, pricing, etc. I liked the definition, though I  
have to say, for myself, I would never consider making this the main  
part of my work. I would only be interested in book history defined  
as before, as I am interested in typography: as a contribution to a  
much larger exercise in textual scholarship which could benefit from  
this knowledge.
In a way, I am grateful for Jim's message, as it is giving us the  
opportunity to discuss our positions around this subject.

Best,

BB



On 21 Mar 2007, at 21:44, Warwick Gould wrote:

> Dear Germaine: I don't think this shard is 'against Bibliography',  
> or even the History of the Book, imaginatively conceived. I know,  
> like, respect and greatly admire Jim Mays as a noble, clinical,  
> scrupulous editor who would always extol the connexions between a  
> seriously conceived, McKenzie-ite  Historical Bibliography and Book  
> History against the dulled edge of an anxiety-of-theory-driven,  
> cultural-studies inspired surrogate. Ever WG
>
> Professor Warwick Gould FRSL, FRSA, FEA
> Director, Institute of English Studies,
> School of Advanced Study, University of London,
> Room 304, Senate House, Malet St
> London WC1E 7HU
> +44 (020) 7862 8673 (voice)
> +44 (020) 7862 8720 (fax)
> www.sas.ac.uk/ies <http://www.sas.ac.uk/ies>
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: The list of the European Society for Textual Scholarship and  
> the Society for Textual Scholarship on behalf of Germaine Warkentin
> Sent: Wed 21/03/2007 19:00
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: History of the Book Masters Degree
>
>
>
> "discursive guff from the dulled edge of cultural studies" -- wow,  
> do I ever want to cite that!  I have a chapter in the book I'm  
> writing called "Against Bibliography" and this particular shard is  
> priceless. Permission granted?  Contributions from others are  
> warmly encouraged; I have been collecting good and bad jokes about  
> bibliography/book history for some months now. cheers, Germaine
>
> --
> ********************************************************************** 
> *
> Germaine Warkentin // English (Emeritus)
> VC 205, Victoria College (University of Toronto),
> 73 Queen's Park Crescent East, Toronto, Ont. M5S 1K7, CANADA
> [log in to unmask]   (fax number on request)
> ********************************************************************** 
> *