I parted with my 1960 edition of Crockford’s Clerical Directory but found it a good home in Wales. I judged, probably incorrectly, that it was surplus to requirements in my burgeoning shelves of reference books.
I just cannot resist a good list and it has ever been thus. My chunky A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Peerage and Baronetage, the Privy Council, Knightage and Companionage published in 1907 has been annotated by a previous owner, perhaps with satisfaction. These days it’s called Burke’s Peerage.
I treasure The Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage, of Great Britain and Ireland, including the Junior Branches of the Nobility and All the Titled Classes by Charles R Dodd Esq published by Whittaker & Co in 1842. Clever of Dodd to include the twigs of the nobility and all the titled classes. It must have boosted sales. Why did Dodd add or drop a “D”? Dod’s Parliamentary Companion, 1982, 150th year, 163rd issue is def one dee.
I do not have Steel’s List but I’m spending a lot of time with someone who does. Indeed, it is probably the only book owned by Jack Aubrey. Is there a name for a person who has only read one book? A monotome? Uncle Matthew claimed only to have read White Fang by Jack London and Lord Emsworth in adult life turned to Whiffle on The Care of the Pig. Bat Masterson confines himself to the Bible in Guys and Dolls.
In the unlikely event of my being asked to appear on Desert Island Discs I would take Burke’s as my book. It would be fun tracing genealogies in the sand. Not sure about my luxury. John Major took The Oval so perhaps I could take a distillery?