Prefatory. IN presenting the following Catalogue to the public, there is little occasion to draw the attention of the experienced collector to its special treasures. The most careless glance of the practised eye will detect volumes of rarity and worth on every page. The collection is remarkable for its general excellence. It is seldom that one so perfect in many essential particulars is placed at the disposal of the purchaser. In the number of rare books, in the choice of editions, in the careful selection of copies, in costly and judicious bindings, in the perfect condition of the whole, it is believed the Library has not been equalled by any offered for sale in this country. Its formation has been the work during twenty years of a diligent collector, a gentleman of wealth and culture, who spared neither labor nor expense in bringing together for his own use and enjoyment volumes increasing every season in value, and which purchasers of the amplest resources find it constantly more difficult to procure. In estimating the value of the books in dollars and cents, two things are to be remembered-this steady rise in price in Europe, where only they can be obtained, and the important circumstance of the increased high tariff, adding twenty-five per cent. in gold to the first enhanced cost abroad, payable, of course, in the same metal. When these elements are considered, it is believed that the prices fixed upon will be thought very reasonable, it having been the aim of the publisher of this Catalogue to keep them below the average value, and in a majority of cases it will be found that the prices are considerably less than at which the books can at present be imported. It has been remarked-and a reference to the London and other priced Catalogues will maintain the truth of the asser tion that books of high value purchased at any time at the full market price, during the last quarter of a century, have proved one of the best investments of money that could have been made; and what is true in this respect of the last twentyfive years, it may, from existing causes in operation, be confidently predicted will hold good in the future. The Catalogue embraces a wide range of subjects in History, Biography, Travels, Poetry, The Drama, Philosophy, Antiquities, Fiction, and is rich in Fine Art, and Illustrated Literature. In every case the best edition has been secured without regard to cost. The Library includes many of the choicest gems from the numerous collections which have been disposed of at public and private sale during the period of its formation, among which will be found the whole of the most valuable portion of the BALMANNO COLLECTION. To the connoisseur in fine bindings, the present affords an opportunity of securing fine specimens of the handiwork of the following distinguished artists; Wright, Hayday, Aitken, Rivière, Pratt, Lewis, Bedford, Matthews, Mackenzie, Grieve (of Edinburgh), Silani, Capé, David, Niedriee, Pettit, Thouvenin, De Menseil, Aliò, Du Planil, etc., etc. Catalogue. BAILARD ET HÉLOÏSE, Lettres de. Traduites sur les manuscrits de la Bibliothèque Royale, par E. Oddoul; précédées d'un essai Historique par M. et Mme. Guizot. Beautifully illustrated with the engravings from designs by Gijoux. INDIA PROOFS. 2 vols. Royal 8vo., splendidly bound in green Turkey morocco, super extra, gilt backs, sides, and inside borders, and marbled and gilt leaves, by DAVID. $25 00. Paris, 1839 ÉDITION DE LUXE. 2 ABELARD AND HELOISE, Letters of. With a particular account of their Lives and Misfortunes. With Poems by Pope, Madan, etc., etc., Edited by John Hughes (?). Front. 16mo., red morocco, gilt. $4 00. London, 1815 3 ABELARD AND HELOISE, Letters of. With a Particular Account of their Lives, Amours and Misfortunes. With Poems by Pope, Madan, etc. Vignette. 16mo., calf, extra. $200. CHISWICK PRESS. London, 1824 4 ABELARD AND ELOISA, Letters of. With a Particular Account of their Lives, Amours, and Misfortunes, by John Hughes. Numerous copperplate engravings. 12mo., half morocco. $3 00. London, 1788 5 ABOUT, EDMOND. LA QUESTION ROMAINE. 8o., half green morocco, gilt leaves, by David. $275. Bruxelles, 1859 6 ADAMS, JOHN, WORKS OF. With Life of the Author. Notes and Illustrations by his Grandson, Charles Francis Adams. Portrait. 10 vols. Imp. 8vo., half russia, gilt top, edges uncut, by Matthews. $40 00. LARGE PAPER. See also Franklin, Washington, Everett, Bancroft, etc. Boston, 1856 7 ADAMSON, JOHN. MEMOIRS of the Life and Writings of LUIS DE CAMOENS. Portrait. 2 vols., Royal 8vo., handsomely bound in polished calf extra, by Bedford. $30 00. LARGE PAPER. Very scarce in this size. London, 1820 An elegant and elaborate performance, for which the author was elected an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Portugal. 8 ADDISON'S WORKS, complete. BASKERVILLE'S BEAUTIFUL EDITION, in large type. Portrait and engravings by Grignon A MAGNIFICENT COPY, absolutely free from stains. Very scarce. Birmingham, 1761 Lowndes says; 9 ADLER, G. J. DICTIONARY of the German and English Lan- 10 ESOP'S FABLES. With Life. STOCKDALE'S MAGNIFICENT EDITION, printed in large type, with 112 beautiful engravings by Blake, Stothard, Landseer, etc. BEAUTIFUL IMPRESSIONS. 2 vols., Imp. 8vo., handsomely bound in sprinkled calf, extra gilt, yellow leaves, by Bedford. AN ELEGANT COPY. Scarce. $30 00. London, 1793 11 ESOP, FABLES OF, and other Eminent Mythologists, with Morals and Reflections by Sir Robert L'Estrange. Fine portrait and frontispiece by Vander Gucht. 2 vols., 8vo., sprinkled calf, extra, yellow edges, by Riviere. $12 00. 12 AIKEN, LUCY. Memoirs of the Court of Queen Elizabeth. London, 1724 Portrait. 2 vols., Svo., calf. Neat. $4 00. London, 1818 |