realized the total of L16,530; and other
important libraries dispersed there during the last half-century include
the Donnadieu books and MSS., 1847-58, L3,923; a portion of the Libri
Collection, 1850-68, L8,929; Dawson Turner's books and MSS., 1859,
L9,453; Edward Crowinshield's (of Boston, N.E.) books and MSS., 1860,
L4,826; Sir Edward Dering's books and MSS., 1861, L7,259; the Emperor
Maximilian's Mexican Library, 1869, L3,985; John Camden Hotten's stock,
1873, L3,751; Sir Edward Nichols' (Secretary to Charles I., whose state
papers were sold privately to the British Museum) books, 1877, L977; the
library of J. Duerdin, consigned from Australia, 1884, L1,140; books
from William Penn's Library, 1872, L1,350; the library of Senor Don Jose
Fernando Ramirez, 1880, L6,957; and many others. Literary property forms
a comparatively small portion of Messrs. Puttick and Simpson's business,
a very important part of which consists in the sale and private
dispersal of musical property of every description, as well as pictures,
prints, porcelain and jewels.

The firm of Hodgson and Co. dates its origin from the twenties of the
present century, the late Edmund Hodgson (who died in May, 1875, aged
81) starting in partnership with Robert Saunders at 39, Fleet Street, as
an auctioneer of literary property, the premises having been originally
the Mitre Tavern (see p. 222). In the interval the place had been
christened the 'Poets' Gallery.' When the property passed into the hands
of Messrs. Hoare, the partnership between Saunders and Hodgson
terminated, and the latter removed to 192, Fleet Street, at the corner
of Chancery Lane (on the site now occupied by Partridge and Cooper),
where Mr. Hodgson remained for many years. The march of improvement
again overtook him, and the business was once more removed, this time to
its present site at 115, Chancery Lane, which was specially erected for
the peculiar requirements of a book-auction house. The late Mr. Hodgson
for many years officiated in the rostrum of nearly all the chief trade
dinner sales, and literary property to the value of some L50,000 would
frequently be disposed of by him during an evening. His son, the present
head of the firm, officiated in a similar capacity for some years,
until, in fact, the pleasant custom of trade dinners became almost
obsolete. The firm has dispersed, in its time, many important libraries
and stocks of books, among which we may specially mention the valu