THE CLUB OF ODD VOLUMES BY PERCIVAL MERRITT In the early winter of the year 1886, several book lovers and book-collectors in Boston, who felt that there were undoubtedly a number of men of similar tastes and pursuits in the community, sent out a circular letter pro posing the organization of a club composed of those with interests kindred to their own. Responses in favor of such an association were received from twenty men, eighteen of whom met at Young's Hotel on the 29th of January, 1887, and proceeded, truly and well, to lay the foundations of "The Club of Odd Volumes." At this first meeting, executive officers were chosen, a committee was appointed to draft the constitution and by-laws, and the questions of the name of the club and the number of its members discussed. At the second meeting a month later, the organization was completed by the adoption of a constitution and by-laws, the name of "The Club of Odd Volumes" was agreed upon, and the limit of membership placed at thirty-one, following the example of the famous Roxburghe Club at its inception. In the first article of the constitution the Club declared its profession of faith in these words: "The objects shall be to promote an interest in, and a love for whatever will tend to make literature attractive as given in the form of printed and illustrated volumes, to mutually assist in making researches and collections of first and rare editions, The Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America 1915.9:21-34. Downloaded from www.journals.uchicago.edu by 46.148.124.224 on 08/19/18. For personal use only. 22 Bibliographical Society of America. and to promote elegance in the production of Odd Vol umes." A year later, following a revision and amplification of the by-laws, the purposes of the Club were set forth in a briefer but more comprehensive form: "Its objects shall be, the promotion of Literary and Artistic Tastes, the Study of the Arts as applied to Booke-making, the estab lishment and maintenance of a Reference Library, and Exhibits of a special or instructive character.'' Under the revised by-laws the membership limit was raised to fifty one, including both resident and non-resident members, and the limit for honorary membership was established at five. In April, 1890, the Club was incorporated, and its principles were again annunciated, and more broadly stated, in its revised constitution, following substantially the wording of its application for incorporation: "This Club is formed for the purpose of promoting literary and artistic tastes, establishing and maintaining a place for social meetings and a reference library, providing occa sional exhibits of a special and instructive character, and publishing rare prints and books relating to historical and literary matters." The candidates for membership were required to be "men sincerely interested in the objects named." Here its principles and aspirations are clearly defined, and with these avowed purposes it has pursued its course for the succeeding twenty-five years. It will be considered presently how far its faith has been made mani fest in its works; first taking a brief glance at the general history of the Club. The Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America 1915.9:21-34. Downloaded from www.journals.uchicago.edu by 46.148.124.224 on 08/19/18. For personal use only. The Club of Odd Volumes 23 The example of the Grolier Club, established in 1884, was undoubtedly present in the minds of the founders of The Club of Odd Volumes, but the real prototype of the Club was in all probability The Sette of Odd Volumes of London, founded in 1878 by Bernard Quaritch and several of his associates. Curiously enough the very rare first publication of the Club, a little pamphlet containing the constitution and by-laws together with a list of the mem bers—undated but probably issued in the spring of 1887 and now to be found in the collections of only a few mem bers of the Club—bears on its title-page and on the cover the words "Ye Sette of Odd Volumes, Boston," although the preamble to the constitution states that "the title of this association shall be The Club of Odd Vol umes." At the regular meeting of the Club in October, 1887, a letter was read bearing congratulations and good wishes from a member of the London "Sette," the president of the preceding year. He forwarded also one or two pub lications of the "Sette," and stated that he "should es teem it a favor to become one of us." Accordingly at the next monthly meeting he was elected as the first honorary member of the Club, and his name is still carried on its rolls. Twenty-four years later another member of the "Sette," also the president of the previous year, was added to the honorary list. Between the periods of these two elections members of each Club have been both formally and informally entertained by members of the other, publications have been exchanged, and friendly The Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America 1915.9:21-34. Downloaded from www.journals.uchicago.edu by 46.148.124.224 on 08/19/18. For personal use only. 24 Bibliographical Society of America messages interchanged by letter or by cable on occasions of special celebrations. The meetings of the Club during its first year were held either at a hotel, or in the Library of the Boston Art Club, or at the home of some member when an oppor tunity was afforded of inspecting the collection of the host of the evening. During the autumn of 1887, however, the idea was agitated of securing rooms where Club meetings and exhibitions might be held. As a result of this sugges tion rooms were secured at 125 Tremont Street, and the December meeting of the Club was held in its own quar ters. During the next two years the meetings took place either in the Club rooms or at the houses of members. Then the question of securing more satisfactory accom modations was raised, with the result that the meeting of October, 1890, was held in new rooms of the Club at 237 Boylston Street. Here it remained for about a year and then removed during the summer of 1891 to 5 Somerset Street, where the second exhibition of the Club and the first under its own roof was held. After a year's experi ence in its third set of rooms, finding that the attendance at the monthly meetings was very small, it was proposed that the rooms should be given up, and that the meetings should be held at a hotel where a dinner could be served. In accordance with this suggestion the Somerset Street rooms were permanently abandoned, although a year later a small room was secured at 61 Court Street simply for the storage of the Club books and furniture and as a place for occasional committee meetings. The regular meeting in The Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America 1915.9:21-34. Downloaded from www.journals.uchicago.edu by 46.148.124.224 on 08/19/18. For personal use only. The Club of Odd Volumes 25 March, 1893, was then held at a hotel, and it is recorded that the new plan of a monthly dinner was "generally commended." Here was a reversion to the prototype, as " " the London Sette from its inception has held its formal meetings around a dinner table. For the next seventeen years the Club remained simply a dinner club, so far as its social activities were concerned, and during this period its regular monthly meetings were held either at a hotel or at some social club. Then also the custom arose of having for the central feature of the evening the reading of papers on topics connected with book-collecting, book-making, or some purely literary sub ject. For this purpose either Club members were drawn upon, or guests invited, who were specially qualified to speak upon some topic allied to the varied interests of the members. But eventually, during the season of 1909-10, there became evident a desire on the part of a large num ber of the members of the Club to have a house of their own where meetings should be held, the reference library rendered accessible, thus facilitating an increase both in its size and use, and opportunity afforded for more fre quent exhibitions. With these objects in view a small house, for the sole use of the Club, was secured at 50 Mt. Vernon Street, where it is now acceptably and perma nently located. The regular meeting for March, 1910, was the first to be held in the new quarters, and this was followed by two reception days when the house was thrown open for in spection by friends of the members. The central feature The Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America 1915.9:21-34. Downloaded from www.journals.uchicago.edu by 46.148.124.224 on 08/19/18. For personal use only. 26 Bibliographical Society of America of the eight regular monthly meetings is still the reading of a paper, often followed by a general discussion, after which the social side of the Club finds opportunity for its development around a supper table. During the season there is an informal gathering on Thursday afternoons, when tea is served, and on Saturdays a lunch is served for any members who may desire to participate. The Club library has shown a constant growth, although its possible size is somewhat restricted by the rather limited space available for books.