Books from library of Khv. Vovk with autographs, expliers and gifting inscriptions in the collection of books of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine

Abstract

The library of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine (NMHU) contains printed editions originating from the book collection of Khvedir (Teodor) Vovk (Volkov). The affiliation of these editions to the said book collection is evidenced by the presence of proprietary autographs, gift inscriptions, bookplates and stamps of Khvedir Vovk's library. Analyzing the range of books allows you to find out the range of scientific contacts and interests of the library owner. Оwn library Khvedir Vovk began collecting in Paris, where he lived and worked in 1887—1905. In 1905 he moved his book collection to St. Petersburg. Аccording to the testament, the Khvedir Vovk's library in 1920 entered to the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences. In 1921 on the basis of this book collection at the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnology named after Khvedir Vovk was founded the Library. It is probable, that the first books from the Khvedir Vovk's library in 1934 entered to the book collection of the Central Historical Museum of Ukraine (predecessor of NMHU), after the disbandment of the Cabinet (former Museum) of Anthropology and Ethnology named after Khvedir Vovk. The modern book collection of the NMHU contains French-language and Russian-language books, representing the products of the printing houses of Amsterdam, Paris, Lyon and St. Petersburg of 1725—1821. These are quite rare publications on the history of Ukraine, in particular the Cossacks, and the ethnography of the peoples of the world. They marked with bookplates and proprietary autographs of Khvedir Vovk or prints of the stamp of the Library of the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnology named after Khvedir Vovk. The range of these antique books determines certain aspects of scientific interests of Khvedir Vovk. Books with gift inscriptions to Khvedir Vovk determine the range of scientific and private contacts of Khvedir Vovk with colleagues and friends, in particular representatives of the St. Petersburg's Ukrainian diaspora.