Charles Elton

And out of the Darkwood Mr. Toppit comes, and he comes not for you, or for me, but for all of us. When The Hayseed Chronicles, an obscure series of children's books, become world-famous millions of readers debate the significance of that enigmatic last line and the shadowy figure of Mr. Toppit who dominates the books. The author, Arthur Hayman, an unsuccessful screenwriter mown down by a concrete truck in Soho, never reaps the benefits of the books'...

Beginning with Greek and Roman times, this volume discusses the great book collectors throughout history such as Duke Humphrey and the Library of the Valois, Sir Thomas Bodley, Sir Kenelm Digby, Jean Grolier, and Francois-Auguste De Thou. Primarily focused on Europe and Great Britain, the authors examine the world's most celebrated collectors and collections in an engaging and authoritative text.