ODESA BOOK HERITAGE IN THE 19TH – THE FIRST THIRD OF THE 20TH CENTURIES IN THE COLLECTIONS OF SCIENTIFIC LIBRARY OF OLES HONCHAR DNIPRO NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to reveal and analyze the collections of Odessa editions stored in the collections of the University Scientific Library. It is necessary for saving book heritage of Ukraine and for development of the world information space. According to research results, about 100 volumes of Odessa editions printed in the 19th – the first third of the 20th century were found. The author attracts attention to «Mathesis» books. «Mathesis» publishing house worked in Odessa in 1904–1925. The article gives a short historical review of this organization, shows the role and contribution of Novorossiysk University teachers into foundation and activity of a powerful Ukrainian and Russian publishing house of scientific and popular scientific compositions from the field of physical and mathematical sciences. The subject of the publishing house was broader and covered many fields of knowledge. The founders paid special attention to text-books, manuals and methodological guidances. “Mathesis” text-books were used by students of different educational institutions in the Russian Empire. The text-books were available in Katerinoslav and other provinces. Translations of foreign scientists from German, English and French prevailed among the editions. The collected collection came to the book stock in various ways. Seals and inventory books let know the history of their acquisition. «Mathesis» published three series and the library keeps individual copies of each one. The second part of the article deals with history of Odessa editions printed in other printing offices. The author of the article draws attention to the most valuable books on history, philosophy, biology, medicine and psychology in terms of content, structure and design. Special attention is paid to text-books dated by the 19th – the beginning of the 20th centuries. Thus, the stored publications contain useful information on the history of Ukrainian book publishing and belong to book heritage of the society.