The Bookends

The world is divided into two types of people: those who divide the world into two types of people and those who do not. We count ourselves among the former. We divide the world into those who collect books and those who do not. We collect books for many reasons: we wish to have a handy resource in our area of expertise; we desire a complete collection of our treasured author; we want all of the newest cookbooks from our favorite Mediterranean country. Or we accumulate promiscuously. What we collect speaks volumes about us.

Our society constructed temples to hold the encyclopedias of our accepted wisdom. Alas, in our digital era, most college libraries comprise less than forty percent books. It turns out that our libraries have a shelf life. We are left to tend to our own biblio-gardens. Collecting books engenders accumulating certain paraphernalia. A case in point: the bookcase. We can’t leave books simply piled on the floor. They need a proper home, and an appropriate classification system. Dario Zucchi taught himself the arts of architecture and carpentry in order to build a magical two-story addition to his home, his library and cabinet of curiosities. He has always been a collector.  Ceramics, fans, maps and magazines. And books, bookplates, and bookends. He has an unparalleled collection of luxurious books and magazines from the eminent Italian publisher Franco Maria Ricci. He has classics in fiction and nonfiction.

Amidst these treasured volumes are scattered sentries standing guard: his fascinating collection of bookends. Every public library has perfunctory bookends, often utilitarian metal brackets. Dario has bookends of every description. Many are inspired by famous authors, including Dante and Cervantes. Others play on references within the world of books and to the act of reading. Cupids and putti, goddesses and nudes.

There is a Noah’s Ark of animals. Cats and canines, lions and owls. Dogs and monkeys and bears who read. Or smoke. None of them hold an IPhone, a Kindle or a laptop. Some bookends even hold up books. 

Dr. Eric Denker