How did Sir Thomas Phillipps help preserve early manuscripts?

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View a tutorial on the safe handling of rare books, manuscripts, and prints by the staff of the Folger Shakespeare Library — book collecting A tutorial from the staff of the Folger Shakespeare Library on the safe handling of rare books, manuscripts, and prints.

Sir Thomas Phillipps was a prominent figure during the golden age of book collecting (1790–1830), a period characterized by a growing antiquarian interest in historical materials.1

Driven by what was termed bibliomania—an uncontrollable passion for books—Phillipps applied his intense zeal specifically to the acquisition of early manuscripts. By aggressively collecting these items, he effectively rescued a vast amount of important and valuable historical material that otherwise faced the risk of neglect or total destruction. His efforts were part of a broader shift in the 18th and 19th centuries, where collectors moved away from prioritizing only contemporary, finely produced books toward a deeper appreciation for the antique and the historical.1