Page images
PDF
EPUB

according to date. The autographs are arranged by author. The date of sale given is that of the first day of the sale. The full period covered by the sale can be learned by reference to the chronological list following this Preface. The prices are for the lot, not as sold in the auction room by the volume. The number

in parenthesis is the original lot number in the sale catalogue. Records of previous sales have been entered of some books, more particularly of important pieces of Americana and Early English Literature. The American records are taken chiefly from the sale catalogues of the following important libraries: The Library of John A. Rice, sold in New York in 1870; the Library of Thomas W. Field, sold in New York in 1875; the Library of William Menzies, sold in New York in 1875; the Library of George Brinley, sold in New York and Boston in five sales, extending from 1879 to 1893; the Library of Almon W. Griswold, sold in New York as "The Library of a Bibliomaniac," in 1880; the Library of Henry C. Murphy, sold in New York in 1884; the Library of S. L. M. Barlow, sold in New York in 1889; the Library of Brayton Ives, sold in New York in 1891; and from the sales chronicled in Vol. I. of "American Book-Prices Current." The English records are taken entirely from that indispensable compilation, "Book-Prices Current," published by Mr. Elliot Stock, now in its tenth volume. This feature we hope to carry still further in succeeding volumes.

As the contents of different copies of various colonial laws differ considerably, collations of the copies sold, taken from the catalogues, have been inserted.

The Index will be a guide to those seeking titles of books of certain classes. We have tried to make it especially full in the two great sections of American local history and genealogy. Since many collectors are interested especially in books relating to certain States and towns, distinctly local histories have been put under the State, and afterwards under the town. The names of States have been set in black-faced type, and those of towns in small capitals.

In the nearly 7500 lots described almost every item of importance which sold for $3.00 and over is included. An especial effort has been made to include all American books above our limit of price, American history, biography, genealogy, travel, first editions of American authors, etc. Upwards of 100 sales are included, and, as these catalogues have been compiled often in great haste, under different systems, and by more or less skillful cataloguers, it has been a task to bring all the titles to a uniform style. Nor has this been entirely accomplished; especially is this true in regard to the sizes of books. Hundreds of errors in description

allowed to stand, and, as by far the greater part of the work must be done after the close of the season, and the work hurried through the press during July, August, and September some new errors have doubtless crept in. In the very nature of things, therefore, the volume can lay no claim to bibliographical accuracy.

The volume for 1895 included reports on only 56 sales, many unimportant catalogues having been thrown out bodily. The volume for this year includes 106 sales, though from many of the catalogues only a score or less of items have been worthy of a place in our compilation. Two sales which took place in Cincinnati are included in the present volume; they will, perhaps, be of some interest.

The year just passed has seen fewer famous libraries dispersed by auction than did the preceding twelve months. From any standpoint, the most notable sale was that of the Library of Mr. David Adee, which was sold at Bangs', November 18 and three following days. It was principally remarkable for the considerable number of volumes of Early English Poetry and Plays, although there were also some first editions of later English authors, a few good pieces of Americana, and some modern limited editions, including publications of the Grolier Club and issues of the Kelmscott Press. The books were mostly in fine condition.

The most important item was a copy of the seventh edition of "Songs and Sonnets," by Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey. This little volume brought $1680.00, the highest price realized for a single book during the year. This book, the first edition of which was published in 1557 by Richard Tottel (hence generally known as Tottel's Miscellany), is one of the most important in all English Poetry, its original publication having marked the beginning of that richest period in English literature, the Elizabethan. The Adee copy was from the collection of Gregory Lewis Way, and sold at auction in London in 1888 for £69-0-0. It was then in old calf binding.

The library included numerous volumes, first editions, of the works of Dryden (said to have been the largest collection of his works ever offered at one sale), James Shirley, Samuel Daniel, Percy Bysshe Shelley, etc., as well as books by John Heywood, Thomas Heywood, George Chapman, John Donne, Michael Drayton, Edmund Spenser (including the little volume by John Van der Noodt containing Spenser's first printed work), George Peele, Christopher Marlowe, etc., etc.

The Library of Richard Wickham, of Albany, sold at Libbie's, in October, was especially remarkable for a large collection of books relating to Napoleon and the French Revolution.

delphia, sold by Henkels, October 29 to 31, included a collection of books printed by Benjamin Franklin, fifty-two in number, and some of them among his rarest. They were mostly in fine condition.

The Library of Charles H. Bell, of Exeter, N. H., sold by Libbie & Co., the books in November, and the autographs and coins in December, included a choice lot of New Hampshire local histories and genealogies, as well as other material relating to New England and the Revolutionary War.

A Library of Choice Books, sold by Bangs & Co., in February, included a set of the original folio edition of Audubon's Birds, finely bound sets of standard authors in first and best editions, etc., etc.

A Collection of Autographs, sold by Bangs & Co., April 11, was a small and choice lot, including a number of pieces by, or relating to, Edgar Allan Poe.

A Collection of Americana, sold by Bangs & Co., May 19 to 22, apparently duplicates and inferior copies culled from a large library, included some choice pieces. The condition, however, was hardly up to the mark.

Mr. Quaritch, the great London bookseller, sent over two consignments, both comprising much the same books. One was sold in Boston and the other in New York. They included some valuable books, but few of special rarity, and the prices realized can hardly have been satisfactory.

In the Preface to the preceding volume, we took occasion to note the vastly appreciated prices brought by some of the earlier publications of the Grolier Club. There has been no drop in prices, as some predicted, but, on the contrary, the earliest publications, issued in smaller numbers than the more recent ones, continue to increase in price. The "Decree of Star Chamber" has advanced from $125.00, the highest price in 1895, to $202.00, and the "Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám," from $150.00 to $208.00. A complete set, so far as then published, including the etching by Aldus, but not the bronze medallion bust of Hawthorne, sold in March, 1895, at prices which aggregated $941.00. A set, including five additional volumes, published during 1895 and 1896, and the bronze bust of Hawthorne, sold on May 18, 1896, at prices which aggregated $1130.00. The five additional volumes and the medallion brought $75.50, which, deducted from the $1130.00, leaves $1054.50 to be compared with the $941.00 of 1895.

Our thanks are extended to the auctioneers, Messrs. Bangs & Co., C. F. Libbie & Co., Stan. V. Henkels, and the Ezekiel & Bernheim Co., for priced catalogues.

L. S. L.

CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF SALES REPORTED

IN THIS VOLUME.

66

September 24 and 25, 1895. The Library of the Late Edwin Bartlett, Esq., removed from 'Miramont," near Barrytown, N. Y. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

September 25 and 26, 1895. The Library of the Late Washington P. Gregg, Esq., Clerk of the Common Council of Boston for forty years. With other Collections, including a Law Library. Sold in Boston by C. F. Libbie & Co.

September 26, 1895. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

September 30 and October 1, 2, and 3, 1895. The Library of the Late William Berrian, Part I. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. October 7 and 8, 1895. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

October 9, 10, and 11, 1895. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

October 16, 1895. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in Philadelphia by Stan. V. Henkels.

October 16 and 17, 1895. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

October 16, 17, and 18, 1895.

The Library of Richard Wickham, of

Albany, N. Y. Sold in Boston by C. F. Libbie & Co.

October 18, 1895. The Library of Herbert W. Lathe, D. D., with additions. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

October 21, 22, 23, and 24, 1895. Á Miscellaneous Collection.

New York by Bangs & Co.

Sold in

October 28, 29, 30, and 31, and November 1 and 2, 1895. The Library of the Late William Berrian, Part II. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

October 29, 30, and 31, 1895. The Collection of American History belonging to M. Polock, Esq., of Philadelphia. Sold in Philadelphia by Stan. V. Henkels. November 5, 6, and 7, 1895.

The Library of the Late Hon. Charles H. Bell, of Exeter, N. H. Sold in Boston by C. F. Libbie & Co. November 6, 7, and 8, 1895. The Library of William Poillon. Sold in

New York by Bangs & Co.

November 11, 12, 13, and 14, 1895. A Library of Americana. Sold in

New York by Bangs & Co.

November 15, 1895. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

November 18, 19, 20, and 21, 1895. The Library of David Adee, Esq. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

November 20 and 21, 1895. A Portion of the Library of the Late E. N. Coburn, Esq., of Charlestown, Mass., together with another his

November 21, 1895. The Library belonging to the Estate of William Eckhart Lehman, Deceased, and Miscellaneous Books from other sources. Sold in Philadelphia by Stan. V. Henkels. November 22 and 23, 1895. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

November 25, 26, and 27, 1895.

The Library of Mr. John C. M. Pierce,

of Yankton, Dakota. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. November 29 and 30, 1895. A Miscellaneous Collection.

York by Bangs & Co.

Sold in New

December 2 and 3, 1895. The Library of the Late Samuel F. B. Morse, with additions. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

December 4, 5, 6, and 7, 1895. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

December 9, 1895. Americana, etc., including some Books from the Library of the Late Fernando Wood. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

December 10 and 11, 1895. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

December 10 and 11, 1895. The Scientific Library, belonging to the Late John Howard Redfield, of Philadelphia. Sold in Philadelphia by Stan. V. Henkels.

December 12 and 13, 1895.

A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

December 12 and 13, 1895. The Collection of Autographs and Coins of the Late Charles H. Bell, Esq., of Exeter, N. H. Sold in Boston by C. F. Libbie & Co.

December 16 and 17, 1895. A Miscellaneous Collection.

Sold in New

December 18 and 19, 1895. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New

York by Bangs & Co.

York by Bangs & Co.

delphia by Stan. V. Henkels.

December 19, 1895. Autographs and Historical Papers.

Sold in Phila

January 2 and 3, 1896. The Library of the Late Hon. Clark Jillson, of Worcester, Mass. Sold in Boston by C. F. Libbie & Co.

January 13 and 14, 1896. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in Cincinnati by the Ezekiel & Bernheim Co.

January 22 and 23, 1896. A Collection of Americana. With an Addenda. Sold in Philadelphia by Stan. V. Henkels.

January 23 and 24, 1896. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

January 27, 28, and 29, 1896. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

January 29 and 30, 1896. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in Boston by C. F. Libbie & Co.

January 30 and 31 and February 1, 1896.
Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

February 3, 4, and 5, 1896.

A Miscellaneous Collection.

A Small Collection of Books from the Library of a Book-Lover. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. February 6, 7, and 8, 1896. A Library of Choice Books. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

February 10, 1896. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

February 11 and 12, 1896. A Library of Books in various Departments of Literature. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co.

February 11 and 12, 1896. The Private Library of the Late Dr. Ezra Paine, of Boston, Mass. Sold in Boston by C. F. Libbie & Co. February 13 and 14, 1896. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New

« PreviousContinue »