Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 89, July 12, 1851 / A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.

When found, make a note of. —CAPTAIN CUTTLE.
VOL. IV.—No. 89.
SATURDAY, JULY 12. 1851.
Price with Index, 9 d. Stamped Edition, 10 d.
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If the NOTES AND QUERIES, in the course of its career, had only called the attention of antiquaries to the necessities of collecting epitaphs and inscriptions to the dead found in churches, and thus brought into active exertion a large number of zealous and intelligent recorders of monuments, its usefulness would have been fully established; but the multitude of suggestive hints and recommendations constantly appearing in its pages, added to the great amount of precise and unquestionable knowledge given to the public through its means, have established the publication as of the greatest importance to archæologists, and literary men generally.
A noble and highly regarded author (Lord Braybrooke) has recently shown the necessity for recording the existence of painted historical portraits, scattered, as we know they are, throughout residences of the nobility and gentry, and from thence too often descending to the humble dwelling or broker's warehouse, through the effluxion of time, the ill appreciation, in some instances, of those who possess them, or the urgencies of individuals: but there are other memorials of eminent persons extant, frequently the only ones, which, falling into the possession of but few persons, are to the seeker after biographical or topographical knowledge, for the most part, as though they had never existed. I allude to Privately Printed Books and Privately Engraved Portraits. Surely these might be made available to literary persons if their depository were generally known.
How comparatively easy would it be for the readers of the NOTES AND QUERIES, in each county, to transmit to its pages a short note of any privately engraved portrait, or privately printed volume, of which they may be possessed, or of which they have a perfect knowledge. Collectors could in most instances, if they felt inclined to open their stores, give the required information in a complete list, and no doubt would do so; but still a great assistance to those engaged in the toils of biographical or other study could be afforded by the transmission to these pages of the casual Note, which happens to have been taken at a moment when the book or portrait passed under the inspection of a recorder who did not amass graphic or literary treasures.