The E-Sylum:  Volume 6, Number 18, May 4, 2003, Article 8

OPINIONS ON MARGINALIA

  Gene Collier, a columnist in our local paper, posed the
  following question no April 30th. It should be of interest to
  all bibliophiles:

  "In general terms, here's the hot issue: Should people who
  insist upon writing in the margins or underlining the text in
  books be lauded as deep thinkers who sustain the book's
  dialogue for generations, or merely shot through the head at
  close range?"

  "Any marking of the text is an affront to the next generation
  of readers, some say. You wouldn't visit an art museum and
  make markings on the paintings,  say others. What's more,
  at least one respondent said, "underlining is a fool's way of
  absorbing knowledge."

  Collier credits Steve Leveen,  co-founder of Levenger "tools
  for serious readers"  for naming the two factions
  "Preservationists and Footprint Leavers".

  To read the full article, follow the link below.  Me, I'm a
  Preservationist who as a kid who threw hissy fits when anyone
  would dare make a mark on my books, and would be in the
   "bullet to the head" camp should anyone mar my numismatic
  books.  But that's emotion for you.  Intellectually,  I certainly
  appreciate and value the notations made by numismatists of
  bygone years.  What say you, dear readers?

  
http://www.post-gazette.com/columnists/20030430gene6.asp

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

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