ABSTRACT
A collector writes that some of his books collected him, another that he began to build his collection of rare science books modestly, still others that they planned from the start to collect all the great science books. The words have a friendly and familiar ring. The voices of collectors and collections speak through published collection catalogues, exhibit and sale catalogues, through books and articles about collectors and collections and about a collection’s uses and users, through annual reports and collecting correspondence. These sources are writ ten by those who wish to share their pleasure and fascination with individual books and with collections that are greater than the sum total of the individual books they contain by describing and interpreting them for others. The voices address scientists, historians, librarians, book dealers, book collectors, students, scholars - all of whom may experience the sciences by degree, by inclination, by practice, by admiration, by awe.
