About this Item
Contemporary red half sheep and marbled boards, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, large 8vo, [2] iv [4] 197 pp with an extra leaf paginated 37*-38* pp, plates, ills. 1948 lots. The 15-day sale realized over £10,200. The auctioneers firm Stewart, Wheatley, and Adlard operated under this or variant names between 1794 and 1837, when it became Fletcher & Wheatley; then in 1841 the premises and goodwill were sold to Puttick & Simpson. The catalogue has an interesting 4 pp preface: " .the extraordinary condition and value of this Library may make it not superfluous to offer a few words in regard to the formation of the most singular and rare specimens of' Ancient and Modern Literature, Manuscripts, and Missals, which have been collected by one individual during the last thirty years, and which may vie with the most celebrated sales of our own time, from that of Mr. Paris in 1790, to that of the celebrated sale of Mr. Meerman, at the Hague, in 1824. The Rev. Mr. Williams was indefatigable in purchasing every thing rare, valuable, or curious ; sparing no exertions in selecting the finest copies, and, when possible, on large paper; and many articles will be found in this Catalogue unique in all classes.The Biblical part is particularly rich. The Hebrew Bible printed on vellum, at Naples, in 1482; the Aldine (Greek Bible, on large paper; Cardinal Ximenes' Polyglott Bible', in six volumes; and, among the Manuscripts, the celebrated Hebrew Bible on vellum, in four volumes taken from the Vatican, by Junot, when governor of Rome, is presumed to be the finest in existence; three others in Hebrew, of a very early date, on delicate vellum ; the Manuscript Pentateuch of the Xlth century; that printed at Brescia, in 1492, on vellum, (the only one known in this country;) and another printed at Constantinople, in three volumes, in 1546; the Exodus printed on vellum at the same place. In Greek and Latin, the MS. Greek Gospels of the tenth and eleventh centuries, on vellum and paper; and the Latin Gospels in folio, a most inestimable MS. on vellum, with drawings, (highly interesting specimens of early art,) presented, by the Countess Matilda of Tuscany, (the greatest patroness of the church in the Xlth century,) to the Monastery of St. Benedict of Padolirone, near Modena: and one in 4to, on vellum, of the Xlth century.The celebrated Bible of the IXth century, in 2 vol. which afterwards belonged to Gundulph, Bishop of Rochester, in 1077, with the disputed passage in St, John, left out of the original, but subsequently inserted by-another hand in the margin. Among the Offices of the church, commonly called Missals, will be found two of the most splendid perhaps in existence. There is also a singular and superb MS. of the Apocalypse of St John, with illuminations." Includes an Index of Books Printed on Vellum, listing some 24 items. The preface goes on to consider works of general theology, classics and Belles Lettres, and general literature and history. Neatly priced in manuscript and with a handful of manuscript notes. Covers heavily rubbed and with wear to head of front joint, contents slightly browned at page edges, otherwise Good. Seller Inventory # ABE-50114
Contact seller
Report this item
