FROM THE BIBLIOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY (LONDON)

IN ITS FIRST HALF CENTURY the Bibliographical Society of the University of Virginia, launched by Fredson Bowers with his customary energy and panache, has achieved international fame in the world of bibliography. It is pre-eminent, with the Bibliographical Society of America, among the numerous American societies for the study of bibliography and bibliophily, known on both sides of the Atlantic--and of the Pacific--and ranking beside its fellow British societies, that of Edinburgh (founded 1890) and of London (founded 1892). Studies in Bibliography is a very special publication, both in content and in design: alone among the proceedings of bibliographical societies, it has kept its hardback, stylish volume format, causing a yearly frisson of pleasure as it thuds down on bibliographical doormats everywhere. Never just one more bibliographical society, the Virginia society has, from the start, specialised in textual and literary studies with a distinctive flavour, for many years stamped with Professor Bowers' interest in the textual study of modern and American literature and bibliographical description. Its world-view of bibliography was emphasised when it elected a "foreigner," Thomas Tanselle, as its first president to come from outside the Charlottesville area. As it continues its course towards its century in the new millennium, it is very clear that the Society will go on being held in high esteem wherever the history of the book is taken seriously.

Robin Meyers
President

FROM THE BIBLIOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA

BIBLIOGRAPHY MAY BE A SOLITARY PURSUIT, but it is not an exclusive one, so that all who practice it or benefit from it welcome contributors and contributions wherever they may be found. For some fifty years now, the United States has been blessed by the activity and achievements of not one but two bibliographical societies. Each has developed its own personality and mission, and speaking for the Bibliographical Society of America let me say how grateful we are for the work of The Bibliographical Society of the University of Virginia. We congratulate the Society on its fiftieth anniversary, and we look forward to its participation in the activities that will mark our centennial in 2004.

Roger E. Stoddard
President

FROM THE BIBLIOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO JOIN YOU (if only in spirit) in your celebration of fifty years of fruitful work in the bibliographical vineyard. May your efforts thrive and your work continue to prosper. Your first half-century has been a distinguished one, and we wish you many more years of outstanding contributions to the field of bibliography.

Tom Vincent
President

FROM THE BIBLIOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE on behalf of the Bibliographical Society of Australia and New Zealand salutes The Bibliographical Society of the University of Virginia on the occasion of its golden jubilee and offers good wishes for the celebratory dinner. We look forward to equally distinguished achievements in progressive scholarship on the way to the Society's centenary celebrations.

Dorothy W. Collin
President