Darling, James. Cyclopaedia Bibliographica: A Library Manual of Theological and General Literature, and Guide to Books for Authors, Preachers, Students, and Literary Men; Analytical, Bibliographical, and Biographical (2 volume set). London & New York: James Darling | J. W. Bouton & Co., 1854. [10416]
Two volumes in black cloth, rebacked with new cloth spines, title and volume contents in gilt to spine. 10 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches, old ex lib stamps & markings on the front end papers. Text pages are supple but the end papers are brittle; assume the end papers are detached. xx., apx. 1660 pp. (3328 columns). Very good. Hardcover.
"This is a most important undertaking, and one which will render invaluable service to the cause of theological literature, as well as to literature in general...Here we have under name of note a brief but carefully-drawn-up biographical sketch of the author; the best editions are mentioned, with the place and date of publication; and in addition to an enumeration of each separate work of the author, a detailed list of the contents of every volume is given, this being so minute as to specify every sermon or theological treatise, or the topic of every separate discussion. For many purposes of reference, the possession of such a catalogue as this will be, when it is complete, tantamount to access to the treasures of a library of many thousands of volumes, containing most that is of value in ancient and modern literature." - United Presbyterian Magazine.
This set is an essential reference for older theological material, and we would not do without one in our reference library.
James Darling (1797-1862), b. Edinburgh, Scotland; d. London, England. Darling was a publisher and bookseller, apprenticed to Adam Black in his youth. He was a member of the Scottish Presbyterian Church, but after becoming friends with Edward Irving he joined the church of England. In 1839 be began to assemble a library for theological students, and published a Catalogue of the books. In 1851 he published the first part of his Cyclopaedia Bibliographica. After Watt and Lowndes, is was cited as "the most important bibliographical work ever produced in England." - DNB.
