Bookplates and Inscriptions with F. Vovk’s Name

Abstract

This research identifies the scientific novelty of the study of Fedir Vovk’s book collection and libraries of institutions named after him (the object), bookplates and inscriptions with the scientist’s name on editions in Ukrainian libraries and selected museum libraries (the subject). The objective of the research is to collect information about bookplates and inscriptions on books (old printed books, antique books, books of the late 19th – early 20th century) with the scholar’s name to observe the respect of the scientific and museum communities to his contribution to the formation of the modern Ukrainian nation and Ukrainian studies. The historiography and sources of the research (121 rare books of the 19th – early 20th century), studied on “de visu” principle, are systematized and commented on. Attention is paid to Oleksandr Alesho’s book collection, which was presented to the library of the Cabinet of Anthropology and Ethnology named after Fedir Vovk. Some specification of his bookplate and the inscription associated with his name has begun. The French (sub)collection of Vovk’s library is in our focus too, namely some sources of its creation, partial description of its content, and institutions that keep it nowadays. The author publishes book statistics, defines theoretical and empirical research methods as well as challenges of the research: difficulties with investigation of the library and book collections in the funds of the National Museum of Ukrainian History (hereafter – NMUH) and the lack of the card-file catalog in the library of NMUH. The main part of the article is structured in the form of two annexes with commentaries, which include results of historiographical and source studies. Typology of every bookplate is presented, and the list of bookplates and inscriptions with the name of Fedir Vovk is set (23 units). Prospects of the research as a public and historical project are determined.