Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz attitude towards the book in the light of his book collection in Stawisko

Abstract

Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz (1894-1980) was not only an outstanding writer, journalist and cultural worker, but also a sophisticated collector of the things he loved and appreciated most - books. The book in his life played a very important part, which is testified in what he was saying about it. According to him the book is the treasure of an "average citizen". In accordance with his rich and veried collection has become a national property, and the Museum of Anna and Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz, which is being organized now, will soon display its exhibits to the public. The collection built up by the writer and people close to him amounts to 15 575 bibliographic items of books and periodicals and 3230 items on music. The wide thematic range of the collection testifies to the variety of the writer's interests, and particular sensitivity to literature and music can be seen in the enormous collection of Polish and foreign (mainly German, French and Russian) literary works and music items. Most part of the books are post-war publications, often gifts from friends-writers, but also from the representatives of Polish and foreign authorities. Over 1500 books are dedicated to the Writer. The post-war part of the collection is made up mainly of gifts resulting from many contacts of the writer with publishing houses.

Iwaszkiewicz's library was his workshop, but mainly the indispensable pastime as for him reading was his life's passion. For this reason he built up such a huge collection, and the joy of the book's company resulted in the variety of this collection - starting from treatises in all fields of art to detective stories.