„Przy odbudowie Polski przede wszystkim o książce trzeba pamiętać”. Kształtowanie się misji Związku Księgarzy Polskich (do 1945 r.)

Abstract

The article refers to the troubled history of the Union of Polish Booksellers, one of the most important professional organizations in the history of Polish books. Its establishment in 1908 was a breakthrough in the history of Polish bookselling’ organisations. It influenced significantly standarisation of bookselling the time of its functioning (1908-1950). However, it has not received its complete monography so far. This text presents fundamental facts until 1945, to discuss the Union’s mission. Apart from stricte professional matters, regarding regulations of trading operations and relations with the publishers, lobbing at state authorities, education and trainings, they referred also to national, cultural, and social obligations of the booksellers. Motivations for these activities came from the confidence of professional elites in a unique significance of a book for Polish matters, as well as from an emotional attitudes towards editions, going well beyond business pragmatics.