The White Nights Library, Parts I & II, the original 1819 catalogues, including myriad, informative contemporary annotations recording prices realized and, in some cases, buyers.
Catalogue of that Distinguished and Celebrated Library, Containing Numerous Very Fine and Rare Specimens from the Presses of Caxton, Pynson, and Wynken de Worde, &c.; An Unrivalled Collection of Italian, Spanish and French Romances of Chivalry, Poetry, and Facetiae; An Unique Assemblage of Books of Emblems, and Books Ornamented with Wood Cuts; Very Fine Botanical Works with Original Drawings; And a Selection of Rare, Curious, And Splendid Articles in Every Department of Literature... Which Will be Sold at Auction by Mr. Evans ...
London: Printed by W. Bulmer and Co. for R. H. Evans, 1819. First edition. Quarter leather. This is the original sale catalogue of this famous library, assembled in over 4700 lots sold in nearly two dozen daily sessions, Part I spanning 7 to 19 June 1819, Part II spanning 22 June to 3 July. Herein, Part I and Part II, continuously paginated, are bound together. This copy is bound in modern quarter brown Morocco over dark tan paper-covered sides, the contents bound with head and tail bands and laid paper endsheets.
Condition is very good. The binding is square, clean, and tight with sharp corners and no appreciable shelf wear. The contents show some expected age toning, modest intermittent spotting, and the lower fore corner of the Part I title page has been restored, only minimally affecting the text. Compellingly, this copy is margin-annotated throughout, including prices and, in a few cases, interesting notes about the lots, including the Valdrafer Boccaccio. Up to most of third session, the buyers are also noted.
"George Spencer, fifth Duke of Marlborough (1766-1840), better known to book collectors as the Marquess of Blandford, spent enormous sums of money on his library at White Knights, near Reading...In 1819, he was compelled by circumstances to part with his library (7 and 22 June 1819). Although the sale was brilliantly attended and such great collectors as Spencer, Heber and Grenville bought liberally, the result was disappointing." (De Ricci, pp. 77-78). Item #008363
Price: $1,750.00