INTRODUCTION
ZYX, the fourth in the inaugural exhibition and program series of the
Bienes Center for the Literary Arts, brings to the public's attention an area of
book collecting that is seldom seen and infrequently appreciated: alphabet
books.
The sixty-six titles in the exhibition illustrate a small yet
representative portion of the Jean Trebbi ABC book collection. It begins by
briefly exploring the history of the alphabet, moves on to children's ABC books,
shifts to alphabet books for adults, and concludes with pop-up and movable
titles.
Alphabet books lend themselves to unusual formats and many of the most
innovative and creative pop-up and movable volumes from the collection have been
included. And, despite the fact that the public generally associates
alphabet/ABC books with children, there are also many adult titles frequently
written as urbane, sophisticated treatises on etiquette and moral teachings.
ZYX
is an exhibition for all ages. Children will be delighted
with the myriad ways adults have devised for them to learn their ABCs; and
adults will be rewarded by viewing books that recall both memories of childhood
innocence and, through humor and sophistication, others that have kept them on
the path of the straight and narrow in adulthood.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am deeply indebted to Jean Trebbi for her wise counsel and guidance in
organizing this exhibition. She graciously opened her home and library to me
during the early stages of selecting the exhibition and gently guided me to
significant titles that otherwise might have been overlooked or ignored. She is
a collector in the true sense of the word in that she is dedicated,
enthusiastic, and knowledgeable, and is constantly on the hunt for titles that
will fill gaps and add depth to her ever-expanding collection. I am also
fortunate to have had the advice and help of Margaret Bing, cataloger/curator of
the Bienes Center. Finally, I would like to extend a special thanks to the
Broward Public Library Foundation for its continued support of this program and
exhibition series.
James A. Findlay
Librarian