Joseph Sabin (1821–1881)

From the Preface:

This brochure owes its existence to Mr. Power's Handy Book About Books, a large portion of which was reproduced in the American Bibliopolist[Sabin was the publisher of this magazine]. An examination of so much as Mr. Power had done on the subject of bibliography, led me to the conclusion that he had not made a personal examination of the books described, and that the eminent individuals, whom he thanks as having rendered him valuable assistance, must have had rather limited bibliographical resources; indeed, the general result was so disappointing that I determined to endeavor an improvement, and the result is the present list which is about four times the extent of Mr. Power's, and includes all the titles quoted by him, some of which we should have preferred to omit. Still it is not a complete bibliography, for the most excellent reason that such a work is beyond any one man's capacity; but it is hoped it will prove useful to those librarians and general readers who desire information concerning books about books (vii).… (mere)