Prices of Books: An Inquiry into the Changes in the Price of Books which have occurred in England at different PeriodsWheatley, Henry B. (Henry Benjamin)
History
Prices of Books: An Inquiry into the Changes in the Price of Books which have occurred in England at different Periods
Wheatley, Henry B. (Henry Benjamin)
Books -- Prices -- History
During the years that the Blenheim and Hamilton Palace libraries were
selling many valuable sales took place, and since then there have been a
great number of fine libraries dispersed. We have only space to mention
shortly a few of these; but with respect to the last ten years there is
the less need for a full list, in that a valuable record of sales is
given in the annual volumes of Slater’s “Book Prices Current,” and
Temple Scott’s “Book Sales.”
The important topographical library of James Comerford was sold by
Sotheby, Wilkinson, and Hodge in 1881. There were 4318 lots, in thirteen
days’ sale, which realised £8327.
In 1882 the library of Frederic Ouvry, P.S.A., which consisted of 1628
lots, in a six days’ sale, was sold at Sotheby’s for £6169; and the
choice library of a gentleman, £3366.
In March 1882 was sold a portion of the Right Hon. A. J. B.
Beresford-Hope’s library (two days, £2316), and further portions were
sold in 1892.
The Stourhead heirlooms (Sir Richard Colt Hoare) were sold at Sotheby’s
in July 1883, eight days, 1971 lots, £10,028.
The Towneley Hall library, consisting of 2815 lots, in an eight days’
sale, realising £4616, and the Towneley Hall manuscripts (two days, 235
lots, £4054) were both sold in June 1883 at Sotheby’s, as was also the
Drake library (four days, £3276).
In 1884 were sold at Sotheby’s the library of Francis Bedford,
bookbinder (five days, 1551 lots), for £4867, and the Syston Park
library of Sir John Hayford Thorold, Bart. (eight days, 2110 lots),
£28,001.
The Earl of Gosford’s library was sold by Puttick and Simpson in 1884,
eleven days, 3363 lots, £11,318.
It is curious to compare the sale of a library such as Beckford’s with
one like James Crossley. Both were great collectors, and possessed many
dainties; but whilst the former was particular as to condition, with the
consequence that his books fetched high prices, the latter was
regardless of this, and necessarily his sold for small sums.
One portion of Crossley’s library was sold at Manchester by F. Thompson
& Son (seven days, 2682 lots), but other two parts were dispersed in
London by Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge. Part 1 (1884), seven days, 2824
lots. Part 2 (1885), nine days, 3119 lots, £4095.
The fine library of the Earl of Jersey at Osterley Park was sold by
Sotheby’s in May 1885 for £13,007; where also was sold, in the following
month, the library of the Rev. J. F. Russell for £8682.
In 1885 the sale of the miscellaneous but valuable library of Leonard
Lawrie Hartley was commenced by Messrs. Puttick & Simpson. Part 1 (1885)
consisted of 2475 lots, occupying ten days in the selling, which
realised £9636. Part 2 (1886), ten days’ sale of 2582 lots, £5258. Part
3 (1887), eight days’ sale of 2937 lots, £1635.
In January 1886 was sold the library of Mr. Wodhull, £11,972; and in
November of the same year Edward Solly’s, F.R.S., £1544.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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