April 24, 2002

English Restoration Books Enhance Boise State Collection

A cache of 17th and 18th century books donated to Boise State University’s Albertsons Library by Boise resident Bob Fahringer focus mostly on English history. The new additions won’t show up on any best-seller lists, but Alan Virta, head of special collections at the library, considers them valuable nonetheless.

Not only is the subject matter important, he said, but so are the books themselves. “It enlarges our collection relating to the English Civil War and the Restoration,” he said. “It’s important to have this subject matter written by people a lot closer to that era than we are. But it’s also an example of the bookmaking craft. These books are leather bound and the paper is in wonderful condition, made mainly from rags as opposed to wood fibers.”

Fahringer began collecting the books as a graduate student in the 1950s working on a thesis on the English Restoration period. While serving a tour of duty in the Army, he found himself in England, where he purchased several more books at quaint old bookstores.

“After my discharge in 1956 I just kept collecting,” he said. “Not just old English, but also special editions and masterpiece reproductions.” The collection includes a book printed in 1649 as well as a reproduction of the Book of Kells, a hand-illuminated manuscript originally done by monks in Ireland in the 8th century. Before he knew it, his collection had grown to more than a hundred, finally topping out at about 285. A teacher at the high school and college levels for 38 years, he moved five times, packing books with him every time.

Finally, a friend suggested he donate them to the university. As a former teacher, the idea of making the books accessible to students is appealing. “I hope they’ll have an opportunity to use them, particularly the newer history and literature books,” he said.

The books will be kept in the rare book room with temperature and humidity control, but will be available to the public upon request.