Page:Edwards's Australasian Catalogue 1899.djvu/7

 INTRODUCTORY NOTE.

The present catalogue contains the titles of over three thousand different publications relating to Australasia, Malaysia, Polynesia, and the Pacific Ocean, all of which have been accumulated from private libraries and public sales during the last two years.

Such an extensive collection in this branch of geography never having been offered for sale before, it has been my desire that the catalogue should serve as a "Book Prices Current" on the subject. The prices are fair and reasonable, even at a time like the present when competition is keen; for, with the increase of libraries and collectors, the tendency must be upward, especially of items known to be out of print, scarce, or rare.

I believe the catalogue will also be found bibliographically useful. Compiled for the most part by an expert, Mr. E. A. Petherick, F.R.G.S., it contains a series of classified Indexes of Subjects and Authors, and many valuable and interesting notes from his long-promised and much-needed "Bibliography of Australasia and Polynesia" an abridged prospectus of which will be found on page 220.

The authorship of anonymous works where known is given in brackets thus: [Carter (Charles Rooking)]. Where the place of publication is not stated London is understood.

As the literature of Australasia is a growing one, I hope from time to time to issue supplements to the present catalogue, and shall be glad to have the names of librarians and gentlemen who collect books or pamphlets on the subject. Lists of desiderata will be carefully attended to; offers of duplicates for sale or exchange are invited.

FRANCIS EDWARDS.

83, High Street,

Marylebone, W.

May, 1899.