David A. Randall

David Anton Randall
Born	(1905-04-05) April 5, 1905 Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	May 25, 1975(1975-05-25) (aged 70)
Occupation(s)	Book dealer, librarian, bibliographer, professor
Years active	1929–1975
Known for	Director of Scribner's rare book division; Librarian of the Lilly Library at Indiana University; expert in bibliography; managing sale of Gutenberg Bible copies

David Anton Randall (April 5, 1905 – May 25, 1975) was a distinguished American book dealer, librarian, and expert in bibliography. From 1935 until 1956, he directed the rare book division at Scribner's, later serving as the librarian for the Lilly Library and holding a professorship in Bibliography at Indiana University. Randall is particularly recognized for managing the sale of two copies of the Gutenberg Bible. As an avid collector and bibliophile, he cultivated a profound respect for books as tangible artifacts, emphasizing the importance of acquisition, cataloging, and conservation.

Early life

Randall was born in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania and completed his education at Harrisburg Academy in 1924. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Lehigh University in 1928. Although he briefly enrolled at Harvard Law School, he soon shifted focus to study book history under the guidance of George Parker Winship. His early career included work with bookseller E. Byrne Hackett in New York and participation in the Jerome Kern auction. The economic hardships of the Great Depression resulted in unemployment by 1931, leading him to embark on a career as an independent book scout. Despite concerns about financial stability with a family to support, Randall’s wife encouraged him to follow this passion. He established professional relationships with key figures such as Max Harzof, assisting in preparing catalogs from Harzof’s stock.

Scribner's

In 1935, Randall was appointed head of Scribner's rare books department, a position he retained until 1956. During this period, he developed connections with notable collectors including Estelle Doheny, Carl H. Pforzheimer, Carroll A. Wilson, and Thomas W. Streeter. Collaborating with John Carter at Scribner’s London branch, he procured important British and European rare volumes, notably acquiring the Schuckburgh copy of the Gutenberg Bible that had been rediscovered. Together, Randall and Carter produced innovative catalogs aimed at emerging demographics and younger collectors; these featured categories such as modern first editions, mystery novels, musical firsts, and quotation collections, thereby broadening Scribner’s influence within the rare book market.

Indiana University

Randall forged a relationship with collector Josiah K. Lilly Jr. of the Lilly pharmaceutical family. When Lilly gifted his collection to Indiana University in 1955—forming the foundation of the Lilly Library—Randall was appointed as its librarian on July 1, 1956. Concurrently, he assumed the role of Professor of Bibliography. During his tenure at Indiana University, Randall secured significant acquisitions including the archives of Bobbs-Merrill, the Bernardo Mendel Latin American collection, papers of Upton Sinclair, early printing materials from George A. Poole, documents related to Wendell Willkie, and both nineteenth-century scientific materials and typescripts for Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels.

Writing

Randall was an active contributor to scholarly bibliographic periodicals such as Publishers Weekly, The Colophon, and Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America. He also served as the American editor for Bibliographical Notes and Queries. His notable literary works include the essay "American First Editions 1900-1933" featured in John Carter’s New Paths in Book Collecting (1934) and a revised edition of A Primer of Book Collecting (1946), co-authored with John T. Winterich. Additionally, he participated on the committee responsible for compiling the Bibliography of American Literature. His memoir titled Dukedom Large Enough (1969) chronicles his experiences from 1929 through 1956.

Memberships

Randall was a member of several prestigious organizations, including the Bibliographical Society of America, the Grolier Club and University Club of New York in New York, as well as the Caxton Club based in Chicago.

Honors

Lehigh University conferred upon Randall an honorary Doctor of Letters degree in 1966. Additionally, he was honored with the "Leather Medal" by Sigma Delta Chi. The Lilly Library at Indiana University preserves approximately one thousand items related to him, such as drafts, letters, and personal memorabilia. Bibliographer Donald Dickinson recognized Randall as a highly resourceful antiquarian who utilized a vast network of collectors, dealers, and libraries to further bibliographic research.

Selected publications

• A Primer of Book Collecting. New revised and enlarged edition. New York, Greenberg, 1946. (Co-authored with John T. Winterich)
• Wilson, Carroll A. Thirteen Author Collections of the Nineteenth Century, and Five Centuries of Familiar Quotations. Scribner, New York, 1950. (Edited alongside Jean C.S. Wilson)
• The J.K. Lilly Collection of Edgar Allan Poe: An account of its Formation. Bloomington, Lilly Library, Indiana University, 1964.
• Three Centuries of American Poetry: An Exhibition of Original Printings, Lilly Library, Indiana University. Bloomington, 1965.
• Dukedom Large Enough. Random House, New York, 1969.
• Science Fiction and Fantasy: An Exhibition, January–April 1975. Bloomington, Lilly Library, Indiana University, 1975.