Notes and Queries, Vol. V, Number 129, April 17, 1852: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. — John Shaqi
Notes and Queries, Vol. V, Number 129, April 17, 1852: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.Various
History
Notes and Queries, Vol. V, Number 129, April 17, 1852: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.
Various
Questions and answers -- Periodicals
I recollected that the two libraries were sold in conjunction, but could
not recollect the date. On consulting the printed _List of the original
catalogues_ of libraries sold by auction by Mr. Baker and his successors
in the years 1744-1828, which was issued by the firm in the latter year,
the date appeared to be 1757. With that evidence, I penned a short
comment on the remarkable circumstance of the two learned friends
resolving to dispose of their libraries at the same time, on their
surviving the separation from their beloved books for fourteen years,
and on their dying within about six months of each other.
Some undefinable suspicions arose in my mind at this point of the
inquiry. Now, the original sale catalogue is in existence, and
accessible on proper application. I examined it. The sale commenced on
_Monday, February the 24th_. The year 1757 is added in _manuscript_;
and, since Pemberton and Wilson are described as _lately deceased_, it
is an undoubted error. So I tore up my sentimental scrap, leaving the
fragments on the table for the benefit of autograph collectors, and
replaced it with the six lines which conclude my reply. On reaching
home, I turned to the _Chronology of history_: the dominical letter was
just what I wished it to be! The _Book of almanacs_ added to my
comfortable sensations.
On a re-examination of my notes, it appeared that the united libraries
were sold by Baker and Leigh. Now, according to the above-described
_List of catalogues_, the partnership between Baker and Leigh did not
take place till 1775. The phrase _lately deceased_, applied to Pemberton
and Wilson, is not very precise; the sale, however, must have been after
1774. Resolved to pursue the inquiry, I examined a copy of the catalogue
in the royal library in the British Museum. It is bound with the
catalogue of the library of Edward Stanley, Esq., secretary to the
customs, which was sold in February 1776, and follows it. The volume is
lettered 1776. As the libraries of Pemberton and Wilson were to be
_viewed on Monday the 17th_, I turned to that day in the Stanley sale;
it was _Monday the 17th_. This seemed to prove that the two collections
were sold in the same year. Chronology says otherwise: the _Monday the
17th_ of the Stanley catalogue is an error of the printer; and the
lettering, with regard to Pemberton and Wilson, is an error of the
binder!
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