Chapter XXXVII: Part VI: =The Alcove.= (3)

90. The true Portraicture of Richard Whitington, thrise Lord
Mayor of London, a vertuous and godly man, full of good
workes (and those famous) &c. R. Elstracke sculp. Are to be
sold by Compton Holland over against the Exchange: _First
impression with the hand on a skull. Extra fine and rare._
10 10 0

152. Mull'd Sack; a fantastic and humourous Chimney-Sweeper,
so called: with cap, feather, and lace band: cloak tuck'd
up; coat ragged; scarf on his arm; left leg in a fashionable
boot, with a spur; on his right foot a shoe with a rose;
sword by his side, and a holly bush and pole on his
shoulder; in his left hand, another pole with a horn on it;
a pipe, out of which issues smoke, is in his right hand; at
the bottom are eight verses (as given in Granger, vol. ii.,
p. 61). Are to be sold by Compton Holland over against the
Exchange, with further manuscript account by a provost of
Eton. _Considered Unique_ [but not so]. 42 10 6]

LIS. Perhaps, Three Hundred Guineas?

LYSAND. Just double the sum, I believe.

LIS. O rare JAMES GRANGER--thy immortality is secured! But we forget our symptoms of the Bibliomania.

BELIN. As I am the examiner, I here demand of you, Sir, what may be the meaning of the _fourth symptom_ of the bibliomaniacal disease, which you call UNIQUE COPIES?

LYSAND. A passion for a book of which only one copy was printed, or which has any peculiarity about it[441] by either, or both, of the foregoing methods of illustration--or which is remarkable for its size, beauty, and condition--or has any embellishment, rare, precious and invaluable--which the researches of the most sedulous bibliomaniac, for three and thirty long years, would not be able to produce--is indicative of a rage for _unique copies_; and is unquestionably a strong prevailing symptom of the Bibliomania. Let me therefore urge every sober and cautious collector not to be fascinated by the terms "_Curious and rare_;" which 'in slim italics' (to copy Dr. Ferriar's happy expression[442]) are studiously introduced into Booksellers' catalogues to lead the unwary astray. Such a Collector may fancy himself proof against the temptation; and will, in consequence, call _only to look at_ this unique book, or set of books; but--led away by the passion which inflamed BERRYER and CAILLARD[443]--when he views the morocco binding, silk water-tabby lining, blazing gilt edges; when he turns over the white and unspotted leaves; gazes on the amplitude of margin; on a rare and lovely print introduced; and is charmed with the soft and coaxing manner in which, by the skill of Herring, Mackinlay, Rodwell, Lewis, or Faulkener, "leaf succeeds to leaf"--he can no longer bear up against the temptation; and, confessing himself vanquished, purchases, and retreats--exclaiming with Virgil's shepherd----

Ut vidi, ut perii--ut me malus abstulit error!

[Footnote 441: Let us again quote a stanza from the
'Aspirant:'

FOURTH MAXIM.

Who in _all_ copies finds delight--
The wrong not scenting from the right--
And, with a choiceless appetite,
Just comes to _feed_, ... like Soph, or Templar,
Out on his iron stomach!--_we_
Have rarities we merely _see_,
Nor taste our Phoenix though it be ...
Serv'd up in the "UNIQUE EXEMPLAR,"

_Bibliosophia_, p. v.

One of the most curious proofs of the seductive popularity
of unique copies may be drawn from the following excerpt
from a catalogue of a Library sold at Utrecht in 1776; which
was furnished me by Mr. H. Ellis from a copy of the
catalogue in the possession of Mr. Cayley of the
Augmentation Office.

NO. 6870. Les Avantures de Telemaque, 8o. Rotterd. _av.
fig. en cart._ 'Cet exemplaire est tout _barbouillé_. Mais
il est _de la main de la jeune Princesse Wilhelmine Auguste
de Saxe-Weimar, qui y a appris le François en_ 1701!!!'

I will mention a unique copy of a somewhat different cast of
character. Of the magnificent and matchless edition of
Shakspeare, printed by Mr. Bulmer and published by Mr.
Nicols, between the years 1790 and 1805, there were one
hundred copies, of the first six plays only, struck off upon
imperial folio, or _Colombier paper_; in which the large
engravings, published at the Shakspeare Gallery (now the
British Institution) might be incorporated and bound up. The
late George Steevens undertook the revision of the text,
intending to complete the entire plays in a similar form;
but the trouble and expense attending this part of the
undertaking were so great that the further prosecution of it
was abandoned. Mr. Bulmer preserved the whole of the
proof-sheets of this partial Colombier impression; and to
form a '_unique_ edition' (these are his own words) he bound
them up in the exact order in which the plays were printed.
On the margins of many of the sheets, besides the various
corrections, emendations, and notes to the printer, by Mr.
Steevens, there are some original sonnets, a scene for a
burlesque tragedy, and other happy effusions from the pen of
the same elegant and learned editor. Need I ask the reader,
whether he would have the _barbouillé_ (unique) copy of
Telemaque of the young Princesse Wilhelmine Auguste de
Saxe-Weimar (like the Vicar of Wakefield, I like to give the
full name) or Mr. Bulmer's similar copy of Shakspeare? The
difference would soon be found in King Street or the Strand!
I must mention one more example--of a nature different from
both the preceding--of what Lysander has above, elaborately,
and perhaps, a little confusedly, described as unique
copies. It is Colonel Stanley's copy of _De Bry_ (see a
superb one before noticed) which is bound in seven folio
volumes, in blue morocco, by Padaloup, and is considered
superior to every known copy. It contains all the maps and
prints, with their variations, according to the
_Bibliographie Instructive_, no. 4230, _Cat. de Paris de
Meyzieu_, 1790; no. 486, _Cat. de Santander_, no.
3690; and _Camus sur les Collections des Grands et Petits
Voyages_, 1802, 4to.: with both editions of the first nine
parts of the West Indies, and duplicates of parts x. and xi.
It has also a considerable number of duplicate plates, where
a superior impression could be procured at any expense. The
owner of this unique copy, of a work unrivalled for its
utility and elegance, is distinguished for a noble
collection, bound by our choicest binders, in whatever is
splendid and precious in the Belles Lettres, Voyages, and
Travels. Take two more illustrations, kind-hearted
reader!----_Goldsmith's Deserted Village_, 1802. Mr. Bulmer
printed a single copy of this beautiful poem, in quarto,
UPON SATIN--picked and prepared in a very curious manner. It
was purchased by a foreigner. His impressions UPON VELLUM
are noticed, post.----_Falconer's Shipwreck_, 1804, 8vo. Mr.
Miller caused _two_ copies only (is [Transcriber's Note: it]
is _almost_ unique!) of this beautiful edition, printed by
Bensley, to be struck off UPON SATIN, in imperial 8vo. One
of these copies now remains with him for sale.]

[Footnote 442: The passage, above alluded to, is as follows:

At ev'ry auction, bent on fresh supplies,
He cons his catalogue with anxious eyes:
Where'er the slim Italics mark the page,
_Curious and rare_ his ardent mind engage.

_The Bibliomania_; v. 54.]

[Footnote 443: A slight mention of Mons. Berryer, the
father-in-law of Lamoignon, is made at p. 84, ante. The
reader is here presented with a more finished portrait of
this extraordinary bibliomaniac: a portrait, which will
excite his unbounded admiration, if not envy!--for such a
careful and voluptuous collector, in regard to _binding_,
was, I believe, never before known; nor has he been since
eclipsed. 'M. Berryer, successivement Secrétaire d'Etat au
Département de la Marìne, Ministre, puis Garde des Sceaux de
France, s'étoit occupé pendant près de quarante années à se
former un cabinet des plus beaux livres grecs et latins,
anciennes éditions, soit de France, soit des pays étrangers,
&c. Par un soin et une patience infatigables, à l'aide de
plusieurs coopérateurs éclairés, savans même en
Bibliographie, qui connoissoient ses études, délassement de
ses places, il avoit recueilli les plus belles éditions; de
telle sorte qu'il a toujours su se procurer un exemplaire
parfait de chaque édition par un moyen simple quoique
dispendieux. Si les Catalogues des ventes publiques lui
apprenoient qu'il existoit un exemplaire _plus beau, plus
grand de marge, mieux conservé_, de tout auteur, &c., que
celui qu'il possédoit, il le fasoit acquérir sans
s'embarrasser du prix, et il se défaisoit à perte de
l'exemplaire moins beau. La majeure partie des auteurs
anciens et modernes de son cabinet a été changée huit ou dix
fois de cette manière. Il ne _s'arrêtoit_ qu'après s'être
assuré qu'il avoit _le plus bel exemplaire connu_, soit pour
la marge, soit pour la force du papier, soit pour la
magnificence de la conservation et _de la relieure_.' 'A
l'égard des ouvrages d'editions modernes, même celles faites
en pays étranger, M. Berryer vouloit les avoir en feuilles:
il en faisoit choisir, dans plusieurs exemplaires, un
parfait, et il le faisoit relier _en maroquin de choix_; le
Ministere de la Marìne qu'il avoit rempli, lui ayant donné
toutes les facilités d'en être abondamment et fidèlement
pourvu dans toutes les Echelles du Levant. On collationnoit
ensuite pour vérifier s' il n'y avoit ni transposition, ni
omission de feuilles ou de pages?!!' _Cat. M. Lamoignon_,
1791. pref. p. ij. iij. Berryer was slightly copied by
Caillard (of whom see p. 76, ante) in the luxury of
_book-binding_. 'M. Caillard avoit le soin _de faire
satiner_ presque tous livres qu'il faisoit relier, et
principalement les grands ouvrages; qu'il est difficile
d'avoir parfaitement reliés sans ce precedé.' _Cat. de
Caillard_; p. x. (avertisement.) But I know not whether
Caillard did not catch the phrensy from the elder Mirabeau.
In the catalogue of his books, p. II., we are thus told of
him:--'l'acquisition d'un _beau livre_ lui causoit des
transports de joie inexprimables: il l'examinoit, l'admiriot
[Transcriber's Note: l'admiroit]: il vouloit que chacun
partagêat avec lui le même enthousiasme.' His biographer
properly adds: 'De quelle surprise n'auroit-on pas été, si
l'on eût su que c'etoit la le même homme qui, du haut de la
tribune, faisoit trembler les despotes et les factieux!'
Ponder here, gentle reader, upon the effects of a
_beautiful_ book! Let no one, however, imagine that we
_grave Englishmen_ are averse or indifferent to 'le luxe de
la relieure'!! No: at this present moment, we have the best
bookbinders in Europe; nor do we want good authority for the
encouragement of this fascinating department relating to the
Bibliomania. Read here what Mr. Roscoe hath so eloquently
written in commendation of it: 'A taste for the exterior
decoration of books has lately arisen in this country, in
the gratification of which no small share of ingenuity has
been displayed; but if we are to judge of the present
predilection for learning by the degree of expense thus
incurred, we must consider it as greatly inferior to that of
the Romans during the times of the first Emperors, or of the
Italians at the 15th century. And yet it is, perhaps,
difficult to discover why a FAVOURITE BOOK should not be as
proper an object of elegant ornament as the head of a cane,
the hilt of a sword, or the latchet of a shoe.' _Lorenzo de
Medici_; vol. ii., 79, 8vo. edition. Did Geyler allude to
such bibliomaniacs in the following sentence? Sunt qui
libros inaurant et serica tegimenta apponunt preciosa et
superba. Grandis hæc fatuitas! _Navicula, sive Speculum
Fatuorum_; (Navis Stultifera) _sign. B. v. rev._]

BELIN. For the benefit--not of the 'Country Gentlemen,' but--of the 'Country Ladies,' do pray translate these Latin words. We are always interested about the pastoral life.

LIS. It only means, Belinda, that this said shepherd was blockhead enough to keep gazing upon his beloved fair, although every glance shot him through the heart, and killed him a hundred times. Still he caressed the cause of his ruin. And so bibliomaniacs hug the very volumes of which they oftentimes know they cannot afford the purchase money! I have not forgotten your account of Dr. Dee:[444] but the ladies were then absent.

[Footnote 444: See p. 262, ante.]

BELIN. Well, let us now go on to the explanation of the _fifth symptom_ of the Bibliomania; which you have called, Copies PRINTED UPON VELLUM!

LYSAND. A desire for books printed in this manner[445] is an equally strong and general symptom of the Biblomania; but, as these works are rarely to be obtained of modern date, the collector is obliged to have recourse to specimens executed, three centuries ago, in the printing offices of Aldus, Verard, or the Giunti. Although the _Bibliotheque Imperiale_, at Paris, and the library of Count M'Carthy, at Toulouse, are said to contain the greatest number of books, printed upon vellum, yet, those who have been fortunate enough to see copies of this kind in the libraries of his Majesty, the Duke of Marlborough, Earl Spencer, Mr. Johnes, and the late Mr. Cracherode (which latter is now in the British Museum) need not travel on the Continent for the sake of being convinced of their exquisite beauty and splendour. An _unique_ copy of the first Livy, upon vellum, (of which the owner has excited the envy of foreigners) is a library of itself!--and the existence of vellum copies of Wynkyn De Worde's reprint of _Juliana Barnes's Book of Hawking, &c._, complete in every respect, (to say nothing of his Majesty's similar copy of Caxton's _Doctrinal of Sapience_, in the finest preservation) are sufficient demonstrations of the prevalance of this symptoms of the Bibliomania in the times of our forefathers; so that it cannot be said, as some have asserted, to have appeared entirely within the last half century.

[Footnote 445: William Horman, who was head master of Eton
school at the opening of the sixteenth century, was, I
apprehend, the earliest writer in this country who
propagated those symptoms of the Bibliomania indicative of a
passion for _large paper_ and _vellum_ copies; for thus
writes the said Horman, in his _Vulgaria_, printed by
Pynson, in folio, 1519: a book, curious and interesting upon
every account. 'The greatest and highest of price, is _paper
imperial_. (Herbert, vol i., p. 265.) _Parchment leaves_ be
wont to be ruled, that there may be a _comely margent_:
also, strait lines of equal distance be draw[en] within,
that the writing may shew fair,' _fol._ 82. From these two
sentences (without quoting Horman's praise of the presses of
Froben and Aldus; fol. 87) I think it may be fairly inferred
that a love of _large paper_ and _vellum_ copies was
beginning to display itself in the period just mentioned.
That this love or passion is now eagerly and generally
evinced, I shall proceed to give abundant proof; but first
let me not forget our bibliomaniacal satirist:

FIFTH MAXIM.

Who blindly take the book display'd
By pettifoggers in the trade.
Nor ask of what the leaf was made,
That _seems like paper_--I can tell 'em,
That though 'tis possible to squint
Through any page with letters in't,
No copy, though an angel print,
Reads elegantly--but "on VELLUM."

_Bibliosophia_, p. VI.

I proceed to give evidence of the present passion which
prevails, respecting books of the description of which we
are now speaking, by extracting a few articles from the
library of which such honourable mention was made at p.
448-9, ante. They are all

WORKS PRINTED UPON VELLUM.

NO. 241. Epistolæ Beati Jeronimi. Impressio Moguntinæ facta
per Virum famatum in hæc arte Petrum Schoiffer de Gernsheym,
2 vols., 1470. _A fine specimen of a grand book, superbly
bound in blue turkey._ Folio. £28 _s._7 0_d._

242. Sexti Decretalium Opus præclarum Bonifacii VII., Pont.
Max. In Nobili Urbe Moguncia non Atramento è plumali ereâque
Pennâ Cannâve per Petrum Schoiffer de Gernsheym consummatum.
A.D. 1476. _A most beautiful work, superbly bound in blue
turkey._ 19 19 0

253. [Transcriber's Note: 243.] Constitutiones Clementis Papæ
Quinti, unà cum apparatu Domini Joannis Andreæ. Venetiis impress.
Ere atque Industriâ Nicolai Jenson Gallici, 1476. _A most
beautiful specimen of clean vellum, with a fine illumination,
bound in purple velvet._ Folio. 21 10 0

244. Leonora, from the German of Burgher, by Mr. Spencer,
with the designs of Lady Diana Beauclerc, 1796. Folio. 25 4 0

_A beautiful unique copy, with the plates worked on satin,
superbly bound in blue turkey._

245. Dryden's Fables, with engravings from the pencil of
Lady Beauclerc. _A beautiful unique copy, splendidly bound
in morocco, with the plates worked on satin._ 34 13 0

246. Missale Monasticum secundum Ritum et consuetudinem
Ordinis Gallæ Umbrosæ. Venetiis, per Ant. de Giunta
Florentinum, 1503. _A most beautiful copy of a very rare
book, with plates and illuminations, bound in morocco._
Folio. 13 3 6

247. Postilla super Libros N. Testamenti Fratris Nicolai de
Lyra. Venet. per Joan. de Colonia et Nic. Jenson, 1481. _A
fine specimen of beautiful vellum, with illuminations, bound
in blue turkey._ Folio. 17 17 0

248. The German Bible, by Martin Luther, 2 vols. Augspurg,
1535, folio. _A most fair, and beautiful copy, with coloured
plates, in the finest preservation, and bound in crimson
velvet, with two cases._--'The copies on vellum of this fine
edition were printed at the charges of John Frederick,
Elector of Saxony, (vide Panzer).' Folio. 52 10 0

249. Le Livre de Jehan Bocasse de la Louenge et Vertu des
nobles et Cleres Dames. Paris, _par Ant. Verard_, 1493. _A
beautiful work, with curious illuminations, finely bound in
blue turkey._ Folio. 14 14 0

250. Virgilii Opera curâ Brunck. Argentorati, 1789. _An
unique copy, bound in morocco, with a case._ Quarto. 33 12 0

251. Somervile's Chace, a Poem, with fine plates on wood, by
Bewick. Printed by Bulmer, 1796. Quarto. _A beautiful unique
copy, splendidly bound in green, morocco._ 15 4 6

252. Poems by Goldsmith and Parnell, with fine plates on
wood by Bewick. Printed by Bulmer, 1795. _A beautiful unique
copy, superbly bound in green morocco._ 15 15 0

253. The Gardens, a poem, by the Abbe de Lisle, with fine
plates by Bartolozzi, coloured. Printed by Bensley, 1798. _A
fine book, and bound in green morocco._ Quarto. 14 3 6

254. The Castle of Otranto, by the Earl of Oxford. Printed
at Parma, 1791. _A fine copy elegantly bound in blue
morocco._ Quarto. 13 2 6

255. Coustumes du Pais de Normandie. Rouen, 1588. _A
beautiful unique copy, on fine white vellum, the
presentation copy to the Duke de Joyeuse; in old morocco._
14 3 6

256. P. Virgilii Maronis Codex antiquissimus in Bibliotheca
Mediceo-Laurentiana. Florent. 1741. _A curious facsimile of
the old MS. bound in yellow morocco_, 4to. 17 17 0

257. Junius's Letters, 4 vols., 8vo. Printed by Bensley,
1796. _A beautiful unique copy, with the plates also worked
on vellum, bound in morocco._ 25 4 0

258. Il Castello di Otranto, storia Gotica, Lond. 1795.
_Beautifully printed, with fine cuts, illuminated, bound in
morocco._ 4 16 0

259. Milton's Paradise Regained, Poems, and Sonnets, and
Latin Poems, with notes, 3 vols. Printed by Bensley, 1796,
8vo. _A unique and beautiful copy, bound in blue turkey._ 17
6 6

260. La Guirlande de Julie offerte a Mademoiselle de
Rambouillet, par le Marq. de Montausier. Paris de l'Imprim.
de Monsieur, 1784, 8vo. 'This matchless book is embellished
with exquisite miniatures, paintings of flowers, and wreaths
of flowers, to illustrate the work, and is one of the most
exquisite performances ever produced;' _superbly bound in
green morocco_.

[30 guineas were bidden; but the book was passed on and not
sold.]

261. La Vedova, Commedia facetissima di Nic. Buonaparte
Cittadino Florentino. Paris, 1803, 8vo. A curious work by an
ancestor of the First Consul; _a beautiful unique copy,
superbly bound in red morocco_. 4 4 0

262. The Old English Baron, a Gothic story, by Clara Reeve,
1794, 8vo. _Richly bound in blue turkey._ 2 0 0

263. The Oeconomy of Human Life, with fine plates, 1795.
_A beautiful unique copy, with the plates finely tinted in
colours and superbly bound in morocco_, 8vo. 15 15 0

264. Dr. Benjamin Franklin's Works. Paris, 1795, 8vo. _A
beautiful unique copy, and bound in crimson velvet._ 5 0 0

265. The Dance of Death. Painted by Holbein, and engraved by
Hollar, _a beautiful unique copy, with the plates
exquisitely painted, and very richly bound in red morocco_.
17 17 0

266. La Gerusalemme liberata di Torquato Tasso, 4 vols.
Parigi Presso Molini, 1783, 8vo. _A beautiful copy, bound in
green morocco._ 9 19 6

267. Catullus, Tibullus, et Propertius, 3 vols. Par. ap.
Coustelier, 1743, 8vo. _A singularly beautiful copy, and
bound in old blue turkey._ 14 14 0

268. Opere Toscane di Luigi Alamanni. Leoni. ap. Gryphia,
1552. _A most beautiful copy, presented to King Francis I.
of France: old morocco._ 6 6 0

269. A New Testament in German. Augsburg, 1535, 12mo. A fine
copy, with illuminations, of a very rare edition. 2 7 0

Lysander has above noticed the collection of Count M'Carthy
of Toulouse. By the kindness of Mr. Roche, banker, at Cork,
I learn that this collection 'is a truly splendid one.' The
possessor's talents are not confined to the partial walk of
bibliography: in his younger years, he was considered one of
the first gentlemen-violin players in Europe. He quitted
Ireland forty years ago, and now resides at Toulouse, in his
70th year, surrounded by a numerous and respectable family.
His leading passion, in book-collecting, (like his
countryman's, poor Mr. Quin--who gave 170 guineas for the
Spira Virgil of 1470, _in membranis_!) is marked by a
fondness for works _printed upon vellum_. From Mr. Roche,
Mr. Edwards, and other quarters, I am enabled to present the
reader with a list of a _few_ of

COUNT M'CARTHY'S BOOKS UPON VELLUM.

Psalmorum Codex; _Mogunt._ _Fust and Schoiffer._ Folio, 1457.
---- ----; _ibid._ _apud eosdem._ Folio, 1459.
Durandi Rationale; _ibid._ _apud eosdem._ Folio, 1459.
_Clementis Papæ V.
Constitutiones_; _ibid._ _apud eosdem._ Folio, 1460.
---- ---- ---- ----; _ibid._ _apud eosdem._ Folio, 1467.
Catholicon; _ibid._ _apud eosdem._ Folio, 1460.
Biblia Sacra Latina; _ibid._ _apud eosdem._ Folio, 1462.

[His Majesty and Earl Spencer possess similar copies of
these works.]

Franciscus de Retras
Comment. Vitiorum; _Nuremb._ Folio, 1470.
Hieronimi Epistolæ; _Mogunt._ _Fust and Schoiffer._ Folio, 1470.

(Another copy: very large thick paper.)

Priscianus de Art.
Grammat. _Venet._ _Vin. Spira._ Folio, 1470.

(See p. 407, ante.)

Liber Sextus
Decretalium
Bonif. Papæ
VIII. _Mogunt._ Folio, 1470.
Guarini Regulæ; Quarto, 1470.
Quintiliani
Institutiones; _Jenson_, Folio, 1471.
Baptista de Alberti
de Amore; Quarto, 1471.
de Amoris Remedio: Quarto, 1471.
Biblia in Ling. Volg. Folio, 1471,
2 vols.
Historia Natur. de
Plinio tradotto
da Landino; _Jenson, Venet._ 1476.

(A similar copy is in Mr. Coke's library at Holkam;
illuminated, and in magnificent condition.)

Biblia Sacra
Polyglotta;
Ximenis; _Complut._ Folio, 1516,
&c., 6 vols.

(See page 407, ante; for a brief account of this
extraordinary copy.)

Plutarchi Vitæ
(Lat.); _Venet._ _N. Jenson._ Folio, 1478.
vol. 1.
Aristotelis Opera
Varia (Lat.); _Venet._ Folio, 1483.
3 vols.

(This was the Pinelli copy, and was purchased for 73_l._
10_s._)

Statii Achilles; _Brixiæ._ Folio, 1485.
Chroniques de
France, dictes de
St. Denys; _Paris._ Folio, 1493.
vol. 2 & 3.
Anthologia Græca; _Florent._ Quarto, 1494.
Lancelot du Lac; _Paris._ _Verard_, Folio, 1494.
vol. 2.
Boccace des nobles
Malheureux; _ibid._ Folio, 1494.
Appollonius Rhodius; _Florent._ Quarto, 1496.
Destruction de Troy
le Grant; _Paris._ Folio, 1498.
Poliphili
Hyperonotomachia; _Venet._ Folio, 1499.
Mer des Histores; _Paris._ Folio, (no
date) 2 vols.
Monstrelet Chronique
de; _Paris._ Folio, (no
date) 3 vols.
Roman de la Rose; _Paris._ _Verard._ Folio, (no
date)
---- de Tristan; _ibid._ _id._ (no date)
---- d' Ogier le
Danois; _ibid._ _id._ (no date)
---- de Melis et
Lenin; _ibid._ _id._ (no date)

I have heard that Count M'Carthy's books do not exceed 4000
in number; and of these, perhaps, no private collector in
Europe has an equal number printed upon vellum. In our own
country, however, the finest VELLUM LIBRARY in the world
might be composed from the collections of His Majesty, the
Duke of Marlborough, Earl Spencer, Sir M.M. Sykes, Bart.,
Mr. Johnes, Mr. Coke, and the Quin collection. Yet let us
not forget the finest _vellum copy_ in the world of the
first edition of _Aristotle's works_ (wanting one volume)
which may be seen in the library of Corpus Christi College,
Oxford. Of Mr. Edward's _similar_ copy _of the first Livy_,
Lysander and myself (vide Part III.) have spoken like honest
bibliomaniacs. Earl Spencer possesses the rival volume,
printed by the same printers, (Sweynheym and Pannartz) and
upon the same material, in his Pliny Senior of 1470--But let
all quiet bibliomaniacs wait with patience till the work of
Mons. Praet upon this subject, alluded to at p. 68, ante,
shall have made its appearance! and then--let us see whether
we can prevail upon some Gnome to transport to us, through
the 'thin air,' Pynson's '_Ship of Fools_' UPON VELLUM!!]

LIS. Are we as successful in printing upon vellum as were our forefathers?

LYSAND. Certainly not; if we except some of the works from the press of Bodoni--which are oftentimes truly brilliant. But the fault, in general, is rather in the preparation of the vellum than in the execution of the press-work.

LOREN. You have seen, Lisardo, my small volumes of '_Heures_,' or '_Missals_,' as they are called; some of them in MS. and others in print--and what can be more delicate than the texture of the vellum leaves, or more perfect than the execution of penmanship and printing?

ALMAN. I have often set whole hours, my dear brother, in contemplating with rapture the sparkling radiance of these little volumes; and wish in my heart I had a few favourite authors executed in a similar manner! I should like to employ Bodoni[446] for life.

[Footnote 446: It is not because Bodoni printed better than
our popular printers--that his books upon vellum are more
beautiful than those produced by the London presses--but
that the Italian vellum (made of the abortive calf) is, in
general, more white and delicate. There is not, perhaps, a
lovelier little VELLUM BOOK in existence than the _Castle of
Otranto_, printed by Bodoni in 1796, 8vo. A copy of this,
with the plates worked on white satin, was in the collection
of Mr. G.G. Mills; and sold at the sale of his books in
1800; no. 181; see p. 447, ante. From the former
authority it would appear that only six copies were printed
in this manner. By the kindness of Mr. Edwards, I am in
possession of a '_Lettera Pastorale_' of Fr. Adeodato
Turchi--a small tract of 38 pages--printed upon paper, by
Bodoni, in a style of uncommon delicacy: having all the
finish and picturesque effect of copper-plate execution. But
the chef d'oeuvre of Bodoni seems to be an edition of
_Homer_, in three great folio volumes, each consisting of
370 pages, with the text only. The artist employed six years
in the preparations, and the printing occupied eighteen
months. One hundred and forty copies only were struck off.
The copy presented to Bonaparte was UPON VELLUM, of a size
and brilliancy altogether unparalleled. _American Review_,
no. 1., p. 171. January, 1811. In our admiration of
Bodoni, let us not forget DIDOT: who printed a single copy
of _Voltaire's Henriade_ UPON VELLUM, in quarto, with a
brilliancy of execution, and perfection of vellum, which can
never be suppassed [Transcriber's Note: surpassed]. This
copy formerly belonged to a Farmer General, one of Didot's
most intimate friends, who perished in the Revolution. Didot
also printed a number of copies of French translations of
English works, upon the same material: so correct,
beautiful, and tasteful, that Mr. Bulmer assures me nothing
could exceed it. All these small richly-feathered birds were
once here, but have now taken their flight to a warmer
climate. Our modern books upon vellum are little short of
being downright wretched. I saw the _Life of Nelson_, in two
large quartos, printed in this manner; and it would have
been the first work which I should have recommended a
first-rate collector to have thrown out of his library.[G]
Many of the leaves were afflicted with the jaundice beyond
hope of cure. The censure which is here thrown out upon
others reaches my own doors: for I attempted to execute a
single copy of my _Typographical Antiquities_ upon vellum,
with every possible attention to printing and to the
material upon which it was to be executed. But I failed in
every point: and this single wretchedly-looking book, had I
presevered [Transcriber's Note: persevered] in executing my
design, would have cost me about _seventy-five_ guineas!]

[Footnote G: This book was printed at Bolt Court during the
apprenticeship of the printer of this edit. of Biblio., who
speaking from remembrance, ventures to suggest that the
above remark is rather too strong--although there was
confessedly a great deal of trouble in procuring good
vellum. He believes only _one_ copy was done; it was the
property of Alexander Davidson, Esq. Banker, and, being in
his library in Ireland, when the mansion was burned down, it
was destroyed. He had insured it for £600--the Insurance
office disputed his claim, and a trial at Dublin took place.
The late Mr. Bensley was subpoenaed to give evidence of
its value, but, being reluctant to go, he persuaded the
parties that Warwick, one of his pressmen, who worked it
off, was a better witness; he accordingly went, his evidence
succeeding in establishing Mr. Davidson's claim. This same
Warwick worked off many of the splendid specimens of
typography mentioned in _Bibliomania_, being one of the very
best workmen in the Printing business--particularly in
wood-cuts. He afterwards became private printer to the late
Sir Egerton Bridges, Bart., at Lee Priory--and is long since
dead.]

LIS. I could go on, 'till midnight, indulging my wishes of having favourite books printed upon vellum leaves; and at the head of these I would put _Crammer's Bible_ for I want scholarship sufficient to understand the _Complutensian Polyglott of Cardinal Ximenes_.[447]

[Footnote 447: See pages 160, 407, ante.]

BERLIN. [Transcriber's Note: Belin.] So much for the _Vellum Symptom_. Proceed we now to the _sixth_: which upon looking at my memoranda, I find to be the FIRST EDITIONS. What is the meaning of this odd symptom?

LYSAND. From the time of Ancillon to Askew, there has been a very strong desire expressed for the possesssion [Transcriber's Note: possession] of _original_ or _first published editions_[448] of works; as they are in general superintended and corrected by the author himself, and, like the first impressions of prints are considered more valuable. Whoever is possessed with a passion for collecting books of this kind, may unquestionably be said to exhibit a strong symptom of the Bibliomania: but such a case is not quite hopeless, nor is it deserving of severe treatment or censure. All bibliographers have dwelt on the importance of these editions[449] for the sake of collation with subsequent ones; and of detecting, as is frequently the case, the carelessness displayed by future editors. Of such importance is the _first edition Shakspeare_[450] considered, on the score of correctness, that a fac-simile reprint of it has been recently published. In regard to the Greek and Latin Classics, the possession of these original editions is of the first consequence to editors who are anxious to republish the legitimate text of an author. Wakefield, I believe, always regretted that the first edition of Lucretius had not been earlier inspected by him. When he began _his_ edition, the Editio Princeps was not (as I have understood) in that storehouse of almost every thing which is exquisite and rare in ancient and modern classical literature--need I add the library of Earl Spencer?[451]

[Footnote 448: All German and French bibliographers class
these FIRST EDITIONS among rare books; and nothing is more
apt to seduce a noviciate in bibliography into error than
the tempting manner in which, by aid of capital or italic
types, these EDITIONES PRIMARIÆ or _Editiones Principes_ are
set forth in the most respectable catalogues published
abroad as well as at home. But before we enter into
particulars, we must not forget that this sixth sympton
[Transcriber's Note: symptom] of the Bibliomania has been
thus pungently described in the poetical strains of an
"aspirant!"

SIXTH MAXIM.

Who of Editions recks the least,
But, when that hog, his mind would feast
Fattens the intellectual beast
With old, or new, without ambition,--
I'll teach the pig to soar on high,
(If pigs had pinions, by the bye)
How'er the _last_ may _satisfy_,
The _bonne bouche_ is the "FIRST EDITION."

_Bibliosophia_; p. VI.

These first editions are generally, with respect to foreign
works, printed in the fifteenth or in the early part of the
sixteenth century: and indeed we have a pretty rich
sprinkling of a similar description of first editions
executed in our own country. It is not, therefore, without
justice that we are described, by foreign bibliographers, as
being much addicted to this class of books: "With what
avidity, and at what great prices, this character of books
is obtained by the Dutch, and _especially by the English_,
the very illustrious Zach. Conrad ab Uffenbach shews, in the
preface to the second volume of his catalogue." Vogt; p.
xx., edit. 1793. There is a curious and amusing article in
Bayle (English edition, vol i., 672, &c.) about the elder
Ancillon, who frankly confessed that he "was troubled with
the Bibliomania, or disease of buying books." Mr. D'Israeli
says that he "always purchased _first editions_, and never
waited for second ones," but I find it, in the English
Bayle, note D, "he chose _the best_ editions." The manner in
which Ancillon's library was pillaged by the Ecclesiastics
of Metz (where it was considered as the most valuable
curiosity in the town) is thus told by Bayle: "Ancillon was
obliged to leave Metz: a company of Ecclesiastics, of all
orders, came from every part, to lay hands on this fine and
copious library, which had been collected with the utmost
care during forty years. They took away a great number of
the books together; and gave a little money, as they went
out, to a young girl, of twelve or thirteen years of age,
who looked after them, that they might have it to say they
had _paid for them_. Thus Ancillon saw that valuable
collection dispersed, in which, as he was wont to say, his
chief pleasure and even his heart was placed!"--Edit. 1734.
A pleasant circumstance, connected with our present subject,
occurred to the Rev. Dr. Charles Burney. At a small sale of
books which took place at Messrs. King and Lochée's, some
few years ago, the Doctor sent a commission, for some old
grammatical treatises; and calling with Mr. Edwards to see
the success of the commission, the latter, in the true
spirit of bibliomaniacism, pounced upon an anciently-bound
book, in the lot, which turned out to be--nothing less than
the _first edition_ of MANILIUS by Regiomontanus: one of the
very scarcest books in the class of those of which we are
treating! By the liberality of the purchaser, this _primary
bijou_ now adorns the noble library of the Bishop of Ely.]

[Footnote 449: An instance of this kind may be adduced from
the _first edition_ of Fabian, printed in 1516; of which
Chronicle Messrs. Longman, Hurst, and Co. have just
published a new edition, superintended by Mr. H. Ellis, and
containing various readings from all the editions at the
foot of the text. "The antiquary," says the late Mr. BRAND,
"is desired to consult the edition of Fabian, printed by
Pynson, in 1516, because there are others, and I remember to
have seen one in the Bodleian Library at Oxford, with a
continuation to the end of Queen Mary, 1559, in which the
language is much modernized." _Shakspeare_, edit. 1803, vol.
xviii., pp. 85, 86. See also what has been before said (p.
233.) of an _after_ edition of Speed.]

[Footnote 450: A singular story is "extant" about the
purchase of the late Duke of Roxburgh's copy of the first
edition of Shakspeare. A friend was bidding for him in the
sale-room: his Grace had retired to one end of the room,
coolly to view the issue of the contest. The biddings rose
quickly to 20 guineas; a great sum in former times: but the
Duke was not to be daunted or defeated. A slip of paper was
handed to him, upon which the propriety of continuing the
contest was suggested. His Grace took out his pencil; and,
with a coolness which would have done credit to Prince
Eugene, he wrote on the same slip of paper, by way of reply--

lay on Macduff!
And d----d be he who first cries "Hold, enough!"

Such a spirit was irresistible, and bore down all
opposition. The Duke was of course declared victor, and he
marched off, triumphantly, with the volume under his arm.
Lord Spencer has a fine copy of this first edition of
Shakspeare, collated by Steevens himself.]

[Footnote 451: We raise the column to the hero who has
fought our battles by sea or land; and we teach our children
to look up with admiration and reverence towards an object
so well calculated to excite the best sympathies of the
human heart. All this is well; and may it never be
neglected! But there are other characters not less noble,
and of equal glory to a great nation like our own; and they
are those who, to the adventitious splendour of hereditary
rank, add all the worth and talent of a private condition,
less exposed to temptation, and suited to the cultivation of
peaceful and literary pursuits. Such a character is GEORGE
JOHN EARL SPENCER! A nobleman, not less upright and weighty
in the senate than polished and amiable in private life;
who, cool and respected amidst the violence of party, has
filled two of the most important offices of state in a
manner at once popular and effective; and who, to his
general love of the fine arts, and acquaintance with
classical literature, has superadded the noble achievement
of having collected the finest private library in Europe!
The reader has already met with sufficient mention of this
collection to justify what is here said in commendation of
it.... In the deepest recess of Althorpe Park--where the
larch and laurustinus throw their dark yet pleasing
shade--and where

----pinus ingens, albaque populus
Umbram hospitalem consociare amant
Ramis--

let the Doric Temple be raised, with its white-marbled
columns, sacred to the memory of this ILLUSTRIOUS NOBLEMAN!
Let his bust, in basso-relievo, with appropriate
embellishments, adorn the most conspicuous compartment
within: and peace and virtue, and filial affection, will, I
am sure, be the guardians of so cherished a spot!

DIEU DEFEND LE DROIT]]

It must not, however, be forgotten that, if first editions are, in some instances, of great importance, they are in many respects superfluous, and only incumber the shelves of a collector; inasmuch as the labours of subsequent editors have corrected the errors of their predecessors, and superseded, by a great fund of additional matter, the necessity of consulting them. Thus, not to mention other instances (which present themselves while noticing the present one), all the fine things which Colomiés and Reimannus have said about the rarity of La Croix du Maine's Bibliothéque, published in 1584, are now unnecessary to be attended to, since the publication of the ample and excellent edition of this work by De La Monnoye and Juvigny, in six quarto volumes, 1772.

LIS. Upon the whole, I should prefer the best to the first edition; and you, Lorenzo, may revel in the possession of your _first Shakespeare_--but give me the last Variorum edition _in twenty-one volumes_.

LOREN. "Chacun a son gout," yet it may be as well to possess them _both_. Indeed, I not only have these editions, but a great number of the early plays printed in quarto;[452] which are considered the _ne plus ultra_ of Shakspearian bibliomaniacism.

[Footnote 452: A pretty copious list of these valuable early
plays will be found at pages 431-2-3-4, ante.]

BELIN. Much good may these wretchedly printed volumes do you! Now let me proceed with my pupil. Tell us, good Lysander, what can you possibly mean by the _seventh symptom_ of the Bibliomania, called TRUE EDITIONS?

LYSAND. My definition of this strange symptom will excite your mirth.[453] Some copies of a work are struck off with deviations from the usually received ones, and although these deviations have generally neither sense nor beauty to recommend them (and indeed are principally _defects_!), yet copies of this description are eagerly sought after by collectors of a certain class. What think you of such a ridiculous passion in the book-way?

[Footnote 453: Observing the usual order of notification, we
will first borrow the poetical aid of "an aspirant:"

SEVENTH MAXIM.

Who dares to "write me down an ass,"
When, spying through the curious mass,
I rub my hands, and wipe my glass,
If, chance, an _error_ bless my notice--
Will prize when drill'd into his duty,
These lovely warts of ugly beauty;
For books, when _false_ (it may be new t'ye),
Are "TRUE EDITIONS:"--odd,--but _so_ 'tis.

Let us proceed to see whether this biting satire be founded
upon truth, or not. Accidental variations from the common
impressions of a work form what are called TRUE EDITIONS:
and as copies, with such variations (upon the same principle
as that of _Prints_; vide p. 501-2, ante) are rare, they are
of course sought after with avidity by knowing
bibliomaniacs. Thus speaks Ameilhon upon the
subject:--"pendant l'impression d'un ouvrage il est arrivé
un accident qui, à telle page et à telle ligne, a occasioné
un renversement dans les lettres d'un mot, et que ce
désordre n'a été rétabli qu'apres le tirage de six ou sept
exemplaires; ce qui rend ces exemplaires défectueux presque
uniques, et leur donne, â les entendre, une valeur
inappréciable; car voila un des grands secrets de cet art,
qui, au reste, s'acquiert aisément avec de la memoire."
_Mem. de l'Institut_: vol. ii., p. 485. The author of these
words then goes on to abuse the purchasers and venders of
these strange books; but I will not quote his saucy tirade
in defamation of this noble department of bibliomaniacism. I
subjoin a few examples in illustration of Lysander's
definition:--_Cæsar. Lug. Bat._ 1636, 12mo. _Printed by
Elzevir._ In the Bibliotheca Revickzkiana we are informed
that the _true_ Elzevir edition is known by having the plate
of a buffalo's head at the beginning of the preface and body
of the work: also by having the page numbered 153, which
_ought_ to have been numbered 149. A further account is
given in my Introduction to the Classics, vol. i., p.
228.--_Horace_, Londini, 1733, 8vo., 2 vols. Published by
Pine. The _true_ edition is distinguished by having at page
108, vol. ii., the _incorrect_ reading "Post Est."--for
"Protest."--_Virgil._ Lug. Bat., 1636, 12mo. Printed by
Elzevir. The _true_ edition is known, by having at plate 1,
before the Bucolics, the following Latin passage _printed in
red ink_. "Ego vero frequentes a te literas accepi." Consul
de Bure, no. 2684.--_Idem._ Birmingh. 1763, 4to. Printed
by Baskerville. A particular account of the _true_ edition
will be found in the second volume of my "Introduction to
the Classics," p. 337--too long to be here
inserted.--_Bocaccio._ Il Decamerone, Venet. 1527, 4to.
Consult De Bure no. 3667; Bandini, vol. ii. 105, 211;
(who, however, is extremely laconic upon this edition, but
copious upon the anterior one of 1516) and Haym, vol. iii.,
p. 8, edit. 1803. Bibl. Paris., no. 408. Clement. (vol.
iv. 352,) has abundance of reference, as usual, to
strengthen his assertion in calling the edition "_fort
rare_." The reprint, or spurious edition, has always struck
me as the prettier book of the two. These examples appeared
in the first edition of this work. I add to them what of
course I was not enabled to do before. In the second edition
of _The Bibliomania_, there are some variations in the
copies of the small paper; and one or two decided ones
between the small and large. In the small, at page 13, line
2, we read

"beat with perpetual _forms_."

in the large, it is properly

"beat with perpetual _storms_."

Which of these is indicative of the _true_ edition? Again:
in the small paper, p. 275, line 20, we read properly

"Claudite jam rivos pueri, sat _prata_ biberunt."

in the large paper,

"Claudite jam rivos pueri, sat _parta_ biberunt."

It was in my power to have cancelled the leaf in the large
paper as well as in the small; but I thought it might
thereby have taken from the former the air of a _true_
edition; and so the blunder (a mere transposition of the
letters _ar_) will go down to a future generation in the
large paper. There is yet another slight variation between
the small and large. At p. 111, in the account of the
catalogue of Krohn's books, the concluding sentence wholly
varies: but I believe there is not an _error_ in either, to
entitle one to the rank of _Truism_ more than another.[H]]

[Footnote H: During the youth of the printer of this book, a
curious mistake occurred: a splendid folio work was going on
for Dr. Bonnell Thornton; in a certain page, as printers
technically say, _a space stood up_; the Dr. (not
understanding printers' marks) wrote on a head page "take
out horizontal line at p. so and so"--the compositor
inserted these words as a _displayed line_ in the head-page
whereon they were written--the reader passed it in the
revise--and it was so worked off! Being eventually
detected--the leaf was of course cancelled.]

ALMAN. It seems to me to be downright idiotism. But I suspect you exaggerate?

LYSAND. In sober truth, I tell you only what every day's experience in the book-market will corroborate.

BELIN. Well!--what strange animals are you bibliomaniacs. Have we any other symptom to notice? Yes, I think Lysander made mention of an _eighth_; called a passion for THE BLACK-LETTER. Can any eyes be so jaundiced as to prefer volumes printed in this crabbed, rough, and dismal manner?

LOREN. Treason--downright treason! Lisardo shall draw up a bill of indictment against you, and Lysander shall be your judge.

BELIN. My case would then be desperate; and execution must necessarily follow.

LIS. I shall be better able to form an opinion of the expediency of such a measure after Lysander has given us his definition of this eighth and last symptom. Proceed, my friend.

LYSAND. Of all symptoms of the Bibliomania, this _eighth_ symptom is at present the most powerful and prevailing. Whether it was imported into this country, from Holland, by the subtlety of Schelhorn[454] (a knowing writer upon rare and curious books) may be a point worthy of consideration. But whatever be its origin, certain is that books printed in the =black-letter=, are now coveted with an eagerness unknown to our collectors in the last century. If the spirits of West, Ratcliffe, Farmer, and Brand, have as yet held any intercourse with each other, in that place "from whose bourne no traveller returns," which must be the surprise of the three former, on being told, by the latter, of the prices given for some of the books at the sale of his library!

[Footnote 454: His words are as follows: "Ipsa typorum
ruditas, ipsa illa atra crassaque literarum facies _belle
tangit sensus_," _&c._ Was ever the black-letter more
eloquently described: see his _Amoentates [Transcriber's
Note: Amoenitates] Literariæ_, vol. i., p. 5. But for the
last time, let us listen to the concluding symptomatic
stanza of an "aspirant;"

EIGHTH MAXIM.

Who dreams the _Type_ should please us all,
That's not too thin, and not too tall,
Nor much awry, nor over small,
And, if but ROMAN, asks no better--
May die in darkness:--I, for one,
Disdain to tell the barb'rous Hun
That Persians but adore the sun
Till taught to know _our_ God--=Black-Letter=.

_Bibliosophia_: p. vii.

However cruel may be the notes of one poet, it seems pretty
clear that the glorious subject, or bibliomaniacal symptom,
of which we are treating, excited numbers of a softer
character in the muse of Dr. Ferriar: for thus sings
he--inspired by the possession of _black-letter_ tomes:

In red morocco drest, he loves to boast
the bloody murder, or the yelling ghost;
or dismal ballads, sung to crowds of old,
now cheaply bought for thrice their weight in gold.

v. 62-65.

Ev'n I, debarr'd of ease and studious hours,
Confess, mid' anxious toil, its lurking pow'rs.
How pure the joy, when first my hands unfold
The small, rare volume, black with tarnished gold!

_The Bibliomania_, l. 135-8.