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
The second part was described as “a portion of the singularly elegant
library, late the property of a very distinguished amateur [R. H.],
likewise a few duplicates belonging to the present possessor [John
Dent].... The books are almost universally bound in different coloured
morocco, by Roger Payne and other eminent binders.” This sale took place
on 4th April 1808 and five following days, and consisted of 858 lots,
which fetched £2469.
The third sale took place on 2nd May 1808 and following day, when 222
lots were sold for £1246. The books are described as bound by “the most
eminent English and French binders.” The totals of the three sales were
2038 lots, which realised £7076.
The sale of the library of John Woodhouse, which was carried out by
Leigh, Sotheby & Son, on 12th December 1803 and four following days, was
one of great interest. The books were in fine condition, and besides
works on English history, topography, &c., there was a good collection
of old English poetry and romances. There were 862 lots, and the amount
realised was £3135.
James Edwards, who commenced bookselling in Pall Mall about the year
1784, was in 1788 the joint purchaser with James Robson, bookseller, of
New Bond Street, of the Pinelli library. He retired to the Manor House,
Harrow, some years before his death, and gathered around him a very
choice collection of books. He is mentioned in the index to Nichols’s
“Literary Anecdotes” (1813) as the possessor, “with numberless other
literary treasures,” of the famous Bedford Missal. On 25th April 1804
and three following days Mr. Christie sold a selection from his library,
which was described as “a most splendid and valuable collection of
books, superb missals, original drawings, &c., the genuine property of a
gentleman of distinguished taste, retiring into the country.” There were
only 339 lots, which fetched £4640, or nearly £14 per lot, a very
considerable average, but then the books were highly distinguished.
Dibdin gives, in part 5 of his _Bibliomania_, a list of some of the more
important items, and in part 6 a notice of the large number of books
printed on vellum, in the collection. Dibdin does not, however, mention
that it belonged to James Edwards.
On 5th April 1815 and five following days Mr. Evans sold “the valuable
library of James Edwards, Esq., containing a splendid assemblage of
early printed books, chiefly on vellum, highly curious and important
manuscripts, magnificent books of prints,” &c. In this sale was the
Bedford Missal, which was bought by the Marquis of Blandford for £687.
There were 830 lots, which sold for £8421, or rather more than £10 per
lot. Edwards died on 2nd January 1816, aged fifty-nine years.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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