SION COLLEGE LIBRARY SURVEY

Survey of Sion College Library, carried out by Hodgson & Co, auctioneers. The survey purports to record all books in the Library earlier than 1836 with a significant financial value (over £2), or of special literary interest or particular association with Sion College. The survey was carried out by Norma H. Hodgson and is mainly in her hand. The work was supported by a grant of £500 from the Pilgrim Trust 'wherewith to employ a skilled archivist to compile a catalogue raisonne of the Library's bibliographical treasures' (see Sion L40.2/E64, p. 423). Sion L40.2/E108. 296 ff. Book 1. Books not in the archives (ARC) series, arranged under general headings of the Sion College classification: A theology; B history and topography; C philosophy; D social science; F useful arts; G fine arts; H philology; K literature; L bibliography. Also included is a survey of the Sion College pamphlet collection (ff. 195-296). On class F, Norma Hodgson records that 'practically the whole of this section has been sold' [ie, the medical and scientific books sold by Hodgson & Co in 1938 and 1939: see below]. At f. 3r is a list of books with autographs of English celebrities, or associations with them. Signed by Norma H. Hodgson, August 1939. nIncluded are notes concerning books selected for transfer to the archives (ARC) series. Pasted inside the front cover is a letter from Norma Hodgson returning the survey, which she describes as: 'my notes on the valuable books and 'finds' made in the Library of Sion College during 1937-9, when I was employed by the College, assisted by the Pilgrim Trust, to examine the Library and report on its rarities'. 13 August 1952. Sion L40.2/E109. 256 ff. Book 2. Books in the archives (ARC) series, arranged in three series, the third being a list of the Sion College manuscripts (ff. 229-256). A note at f. 77: 'After this not every book is written down as many are of little interest. An omission mark has been placed to show that a volume has not been listed.' Shelf marks have been added in red ink by a later Sion College Librarian. Sion L40.2/E110. 243 ff. A further volume, earlier than the other two, containing rougher notes and not forming part of the final survey document. Partly in the hand of Norma Hodgson. At f. 4 is the date 14 June 1937. ff. 1-130. Medical and scientific books and pamphlets. The books were subsequently sold by Hodgson & Co. See: 'A catalogue of the remarkable and extensive collection of early books on medicine and surgery ... sold by order of the President and Governors of Sion College, London ... to be sold by auction by Messrs. Hodgson & Co. ... April 21st, 1938 ...' (London: Hodgson & Co., 1938). 'A catalogue of rare early scientific books from the library of Sion College, London, sold by order of the President and Governors ... to be sold by auction by Messrs. Hodgson & Co. ... April 27th, 1939 ...' (London: Hodgson & Co., 1939). ff. 131-243. 'Travel, atlases etc', including a separate section on the Americas (ff. 227-243).

Open