General European Book Lexicon

...that it would bring far more benefit than harm to them and the book trade in general, they would not have acted so unwisely, but would have sought to promote it. For it is certain without dispute that for a bookseller, the knowledge and understanding of books is the true soul and whole life, and that which can create profit for him and with which he can most fittingly serve the learned world. Where else does it come from, this lack of knowledge, that so many pamphlets are sent to the press, money and paper are thereby eaten away, and the publishing and reprinting of many a good and learned book is prevented and neglected, if not from the fact that one is ignorant in such matters? And I cannot deny that I have sometimes felt nauseated to the point of vomiting when I have had to look at such a pile of pamphlets during the fair seasons. I would like to ask such publishers: What benefit do they draw from such things? Is it not the case that they also cost money? If they are new, perhaps a third or half of them are taken in exchange for other pamphlets, and after some time, the rest remains to be bought by the spice merchants and cheese mongers. Why does one not rather collect the money and invest it in a respectable book, which never spoils and from which one can draw better benefit and serve the world more? So that it does not appear as if I wanted to teach the wise, I remain silent on this, and only wish that they might consult their reason better in this. Of the work, the 5th part is still outstanding, in which the books and authors that have appeared in French, Italian, Spanish, English, and Portuguese language are to be found, which will amount to at least 5 to 6 more alphabets. If it pleases God, I will complete this in the summer and also hand it to the press. Future supplements will appear either every 5 or 10 years, as the collection makes it worth the trouble. The publisher will print them separately and make them available for sale to those who own this edition, but will also incorporate them into a new edition in the proper order. Books without authors are, if they do not have a special title, listed under their subjects or nouns. Some had to be entered twice so that they can be found more certainly. The first number indicates the year when the book was printed, the one right next to it the repetition, the first one behind shows the quires, and the last one the price.

Otherwise, I am determined to bring my so-called Book Memorial—that is, such a book in which all the publications of the booksellers can be found in alphabetical order—into proper order, and to add a short, concise genealogy of the bookstores and have it printed. In the meantime, please be satisfied with this my work; but whoever cannot, let them do it better. I thank God that He has granted me life, health, and strength for this, and I commend myself to the gentle reader for good remembrance. Leipzig, the 15th of April 1742.