Breton writers condemn Cardiff sale of antique books
By Gwyn Griffiths
The Association of Breton Writers [l'Association des Écrivains Bretons] has condemned in the strongest terms Cardiff City Council’s intention to sell a substantial part of the City Library’s collection of antique books. The Welsh capital is twinned with Nantes, the ancient capital of the Dukes of Brittany.
While voicing deep concern at the actions of Cardiff Council the Breton writers have written to their colleagues in Wales [the Welsh branch of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain] expressing their solidarity with their colleagues, the writers of Wales, and the Welsh academic community, in opposing an action that would deprive Cardiff and the whole of Wales from an important part of their heritage.
Bonhams, London, is preparing a list of more than 100 books to be sold at auction in November. It is possible, if Cardiff City is allowed to proceed with its plans, that as many as 18,000 books could eventually be sold, including books from the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th centuries some of which were donated in 1902 to the Cardiff Library by one of the city’s benefactors, John Cory. This includes a collection of rare pre-1500 books, printed in Venice, Florence, Strasbourg, Basle and other European centres of learning.
City of Barbarianism
The Association of Breton Writers notes that it was only two years ago that Cardiff was presenting its case to be the European City of Culture. One Breton writer has suggested that a more appropriate title for Cardiff would be that of European City of Barbarianism.
“Such a sale, which is totally contrary to the recommendations appertaining to public collections advocated by UNESCO, would be morally disastrous,” says the statement issued by the Association’s President, M. Yves Lainé.
The Association is demanding that the City Council should reconsider, to think of the future generations who will find themselves deprived of this heritage and to renounce immediately and forever this flawed project.
The Writers’ Guild Welsh Branch has welcomed the interest and support of the Breton writers. “The issue of breaking up and dispersing library and museum collections is one that has concerned the citizens of Cardiff for some time – we recall how the Welsh Industrial and Maritime Museum was closed and its collections dispersed a decade ago,” said a spokesperson.
“It appears that there are moves in France to follow this unfortunate precedent to sell collections, many of which were donated by individual benefactors in the past. As well as breaking up priceless collections this practice will not help to attract future donations from individual collectors and wealthy benefactors. It is good to know that writers and intellectuals in Brittany – indeed in Europe - are watching with concern what is happening in Cardiff.”
The Secretary of the Cardiff Bibliography Society, Dr E. Wyn James, said: “It appears that the council doesn’t have the slightest idea of the value of the collection. Selling the Library’s collection of these rare and valuable books is on a par with the idea of the National Museum selling its collection of French Impressionist paintings.”
In response to the protestations Cardiff City Council has withdrawn 32 books from the initial list to be auctioned in London in November, but over 100 books remain on that list.
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