My love for the aquarium hobby resulted in a related hobby, that of collecting old books and related items (ephemera). There are so many old books out there that most collectors limit themselves to books by a specific author, or on a specific topic. I collect old books, magazines, etc., that are related to aquarium keeping.
I find that the old books and magazines provide a wonderful insight into how the hobby developed. I find it amazing that fish keepers in the early days were able to successfully breed fish in small tanks without the assistance of filters, air-pumps, and the many other modern day gadgets that we have today.
Due to the limited availability of books on our small island, most of my books have been purchased via the Internet. Below, you will find a list of the books that I currently have in my collection.
My Catalog Collection
Iowa Bird Company (includes fish and aquariums) November 1905.
Walker's Bird, Fish & Dog Book (Walker's Bird & Toy Store, 109 Court Street, Binghampton, NY). No date, but believed to be prior to 1905. Only fish listed are Japanese Fantail, Japanese Fringetail, Common Goldfish, Comet, Telescope.
Aquarium Stock Company 40th Anniversary (catalog 18) 1950.
Aquarium Stock Company 21st Edition - 1956.
My Collection of Old Magazines
Aquatic Life
Aug 1917, Jan 1920, Feb 1920, Mar 1920, April 1920, April 1920, May 1920, June 1920, Sept 1920, Sept 1921.
The Aquarian Bulletin (Brooklyn Aquarium Society)
Dec 1917, Jan 1919
The Aquarium Magazine
Volume 1 May 1932 - April 1933
Volume 2 May 1933 - April 1934
Volume 3 May 1934 - April 1935
Volume 4 May 1935 - April 1936
Jan 1949, Oct 1949, Nov 1949, Feb 1954, Dec 1954, Jan 1955, Jun 1956, July 1957, Sep 1957, Oct 1957, Jul 1958, Jan 1966, Mar 1966
The Home Aquarium Bulletin
Aug, 1933, Sep 1933, Oct 1933, Nov 1933, Dec 1933, Aug 1934
Tropical Fish Hobbyist
Feb 1957, Oct 1963, Nov 1963, Jun 1964, Dec 1964, Oct 1967, May 1968, Nov 1968
Modern Aquarium (Greater City Aquarium Society)
Mar 1969, Sep 1969, Mar 1970, Oct 1970
