Several days ago, I fell into conversation with an acquaintance while enjoying a convivial pint in my favourite pub. During our chat he mentioned that the charity shop in which he volunteers has received a 24 volume set of the 1969 encyclopedia britannica. The person in charge of the shop was minded to send encyclopedia britannica for pulping, for which the charity would receive a small payment.
I (along with my acquaintance) where horrified at the thought of this work of reference being destroyed in such a manner. The book is in good condition. Granted much of the content is out of date but that to my mind adds to the intrinsic interest of the work. It is fascinating to look back at how our understanding of the world has changed. For example anyone opening the 1969 encyclopedia britannica will find the Soviet Union portrayed in all it’s “glory” together with references to Persia which, of course no longer exists. Again the explanation of computers is very outdated which adds to the historical interest of the 1969 encyclopedia britannica.
Leaving aside the beauty of the book (it’s binding etc), the work is a collectors item. encyclopedia britannica is no longer available in a print edition (at least in it’s traditional form of many volumes occupying much shelf space) and has been replaced by an online portal, Britannica.com. Looking online for encyclopedia britannica, I found the 1969 edition is available on Ebay at an asking price of £323. Consequently quite apart from the barbarity of trashing this piece of history the book is, in fact much more valuable in tact rather than as pulp.
I haven’t bumped into my acquaintance since our conversation regarding encyclopedia britannica. I sincerely hope that when we next meet he will impart the news that the 1969 encyclopedia britannica has found a good home on a bibliophile’s bookshelves!
Kevin
K Morris - Poet 
I volunteer at a charity second-hand bookstore and sometimes we have encyclopedias donated. Mostly they take up space other books might use which will turn over a profit. It’s a sad thing, indeed, but with the internet, it’s faster and information is not dated. We get the odd person, maybe one a year, who is interested in old Britannica’s. When my mother died, we had a mint-condition set, I had to rip off all the hard covers before dropping into the paper recycle box for which the charity was paid by the tonne. I couldn’t do it, but then had to. Sad.
Thanks for your comment Tess. It must have been an incredibly difficult thing to do. If you get another set in it may well be worth putting them on Ebay and/or a similar site (I assume there is nothing preventing a charity from doing this). The work would, almost certainly find a good home and the worthy cause would gain more money than had the book been trashed. Kevin
The store had considered selling old books, the collector types, but no manpower to do it and keep it up. The packaging and posting was a huge problem as well.
I take your point Tess about the cost and manpower issue. Kevin
Thank you, but it is not my point. It is from the powers that be, who make the decisions, who have no money to do things better. *sigh*
Your point is sharp. My senses must have been blunted hence my inability to grasp the point of your rapier. Enough of these metaphors! All the best. Kevin
I hope it finds a good home ☺
Thanks Maja! Have a great weekend. All the best. Kevin
A great weekend to you too!
Thanks Maja!