GE!) 1850. (Middleton; 13 pieces:
4_l._ 5_s._) 1873-5. (George Peele's: 7_l._ 7_s._) 1902:
(Sackville's Ferrex and Porrex: 2_l._ 4_s._)--But--"quo Musa
tendis?" I conclude, therefore, with the following detailed
_seriatim_.
1960. Shakspeare's Works; 1623, folio. _First edition; bound
in Russia leather, with gilt leaves._ 10 0 0
1961. The same; 1632. _Second impression._ 2 9 0
1962. The same; 1632. _The same._ 1 6 0
1963. The same; 1663. _Third Edit. in Russia._ 1 1 0
1964. The same; 1683. _Fourth Edition._ 1 1 0
My copy of this catalogue is upon _large paper_, beautifully
priced by a friend who "hath an unrivalled pen in this way;"
and to whom I owe many obligations of a higher kind in the
literary department--but whose modesty, albeit he was born
on the banks of the Liffey, will not allow me to make the
reader acquainted with his name. Therefore, "STAT NOMINIS
UMBRA:" viz. ----!]
LOREN. Was Wright's the only collection disposed of at this period,
which was distinguished for its dramatic treasures? I think
HENDERSON'S[397] library was sold about this time?
[Footnote 397: _A Catalogue of the Library of_ JOHN
HENDERSON, Esq. (late of Covent Garden Theatre), &c. Sold by
auction by T. and J. Egerton, on February, 1786, 8vo. Do not
let the lover of curious books in general imagine that
Henderson's collection was entirely dramatical. A glance at
the contents of page 12 to page 22, inclusively, will shew
that this library contained some very first-rate rarities.
When the dramatic collector enters upon page 23, (to the end
of the volume, p. 71) I will allow him to indulge in all the
_mania_ of this department of literature, "withouten ony
grudgynge." He may also ring as many _peals_ as it pleaseth
him, upon discovering that he possesses all the copies of a
dramatic author, ycleped _George Peele_, that are notified
at nos. 923-4! Henderson's library was, without doubt, an
extraordinary one. As we are upon _Dramatic Libraries_, let
us, for fear Lysander should forget it, notice the
following, though a little out of chronological order. "_A
Catalogue, &c., of the late_ Mr. JAMES WILLIAM DODD, of the
_Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, &c. Sold by auction by Leigh and
Sotheby_, Jan. 19, 1797, 8vo., 2435 lots." There was more of
the _
|