2187 Shakspeare's Lucrece. First edition.

1594. Quarto 105 0 0

(This was the Lincoln-Chapter copy.)

The entire produce of the sale was 3019.

ULPIAN, the associate of Hortensius, was, and _is_ (I rejoice to add) a Barrister-at-Law, and one of the six Clerks in Chancery. In the _Decameron_, vol. iii. p. --, he appears under the more euphonous as well as genial name of PALMERIN: but the "hermitage" there described has been long deserted by its master and mistress--who have transferred their treasures and curiosities to the sea-girt village, or rather town, of Ryde and its vicinity: where stained-glass windows and velvet bound tomes are seen to yet greater advantage. LEONTES, mentioned at page 133, was the late JAMES BINDLEY, Esq.--of whom a few interesting particulars will be found in the third volume of my _Bibliographical Decameron_. He died before the publication of this latter work. Sir TRISTREM was the late Sir WALTER SCOTT--then in the effulgence of poetical renown! PROSPERO was the late FRANCIS DOUCE, Esq. My Reminiscences make copious mention of these celebrated characters.

AURELIUS was intended as the representative of the late GEORGE CHALMERS, Esq.--the most learned and the most celebrated of all the Antiquarians and Historians of Scotland. His CALEDONIA is a triumphant proof of his giant-powers. Never before did an author encounter such vast and various difficulties: never was such thick darkness so satisfactorily dispersed. It is a marvellous work, in four large quarto volumes; but so indifferently printed, and upon such wretched paper, that within the next century, perhaps, not six copies of it will be found entire. The less laborious works of Mr. Chalmers were statistical and philological. Of the latter, his tracts relating to _Shakspeare_, and his Life of _Mary Queen of Scots_ may be considered the principal.

On the death of Mr. George Chalmers in 1823, his nephew became possessed of his library; and on the death of the nephew, in 1841, it was placed by the executors in the hands of Mr. Evans, who brought the first part to sale on the 27th of September, 1841. It consisted of 2292 articles, and produced the sum of 2190. The Second Part was brought to the same hammer, on February 27, 1842, and produced the sum of 1918 2_s._ 6_d._ It is on the _latter_ part that I am disposed to dwell more particularly, because it was so eminently rich in Shakspearian lore; and because, at this present moment, the name of our immortal dramatist seems to be invested with a fresh halo of incomparable lustre. The first edition of his smaller works has acquired most extraordinary worth in the book-market. The second part of Mr. Chalmers's collection shews that the _Sonnets_ of 1595 produced a hundred guineas; while the _Rape of Lucrece_ (which, perhaps, no human being has ever had the perseverance to read through) produced 105 in a preceding sale: see page 591. The _Venus and Adonis_ has kept close pace with its companions.

We may now revel among the rarities of the FIRST PART of this extraordinary collection--

No. _s._ _d._

123 Bale's Comedy concernynge thre Lawes of Nature, Moses and Christ, corrupted by the Sodomytes, Pharisees and Papystes most wicked, wants the title, first edition, curious portrait of the Author, excessively rare. Inprented per Nicholaum Bamburgensem, 1538 10 0 0

488 Wilkins' Concilia Magnae Britanniae et Hiberniae, 4 vols. 1737. Folio 25 0 0

[Such a price is one among the few _harmless_ fruits of the Puseian Controversy!]

958 Churchyard's Worthiness of Wales, first edition, very rare, 1587. Quarto 24 0 0

[In my earlier days of Book-collecting, I obtained a copy of this most rare volume, in an _uncut state_, from a Mr. Keene, of Hammersmith, who asked me "if I thought _half-a-guinea_ an extravagant price for it?" I unhesitatingly replied in the negative. Not long after, the late Mr. Sancho, who succeeded Mr. Payne, at the Mews Gate, went on his knees to me, to purchase it for _two guineas_! His attitude was too humble and the tone of his voice too supplicatory to be resisted.

He disposed of it to his patron-friend, the Hon. S. Elliott, for five pounds five shillings. Mr. Elliott had a very choice library; and was himself a most amiable and incomparable man. It is some twenty-five years since I first saw him at the late Earl Spencer's, at Althorp.]

960 Churchyard. The Firste of Churchyardes Chippes, containinge Twelue seuerall Labours, green morocco, gilt leaves, 1578 0 0 0

The Second Part of Churchyard's Chips was never published.

961 Churchyard's Generall Rehearsall of Warres, called Churchyardes Choise, imprinted by White, 1579 7 7 0

The latter part of this Work is in Verse, and some have supposed that Churchyard intended it to form the Second Part of his Chips.

1146 Gascoyne's Delicate Diet for Daintie Mouthde Droonkardes, excessively rare; only one other copy known, namely, that which was in the Libraries of G. Steevens and R. Heber.--See Heber's Catalogue, part iv. no. 771. Imprinted by Johnes, 1576 11 11 0

1182 ---- Wolsey's Grammar. Rudimenta Grammatices et Docendi Methodus Scholae Gypsuichianae per Thomam Cardinalem Ebor, institutam, &c., rare, Antv. 1536 4 19 0

The Preface, containing directions for the Conduct of the School, is written by Cardinal Wolsey. The Grammar is by Dean Colet and Lilly.

1295 The Complete History of Cornwall, Part II., being the Parochial History, (by William Hals,) extremely rare 15 0 0

This is one of the rarest books in the class of British Topography.

The first part was never printed, it has therefore no general title. A copy is in the library of the Right Hon. Thomas Grenville.

1314 Patrick Hannay's Nightingale, Sheretine, Happy Husband, Songs, Sonnets, &c., with the frontispiece, including the extremely rare Portrait of Patrick Hannay, an excessively rare volume when perfect, 1622 13 5 0

We believe only one other perfect copy is known, that which was successively in the Libraries of Bindley, Perry, Sykes, and Rice. No poetical volume in the libraries of these celebrated collectors excited a more lively interest, or a keener competition. This was obtained by Mr. Chalmers at Pinkerton's sale in 1812. The Portrait of Hannay is a great desideratum to the Granger Collectors.

1436 Hutton's (Henry Dunelmensis) Follic's Anatomie, or Satyrs and Satyricall Epigrams, 1629. 12mo. 11 11 0

1461 De Foe. Review of the Affairs of France and of all Europe, as influenced by that Nation, with Historical Observations on Public Affairs, and an entertaining part in every sheet (by Defoe), 8 vols., excessively rare. The most perfect copy known, 1705 41 0 0

This is the great desideratum of all the collectors of De Foe's works.

It is the most perfect copy known; that which approaches it the nearest is the copy in the British Museum; but that only extends to 6 vols.

1508 Cronycle of Englonde wyth the Frute of Tymes, compyled by one somtyme Mayster of Saynt Albons. Newly enprynted by Wynkyn de Worde, 1497.

The Descrypcyon of Englonde (in Prose), also the Descrypcyon of the Londe of Wales, in verse, emprynted by me Wynkyn de Worde, 1498, 2 vols. in 1.

The first editions by Wynkyn de Worde, extremely rare 48 0 0

1738 Fulwell's (Ulpian) Flower of Fame, containing the bright renowne and most fortunate raigne of King Henry VIII., wherein is mentioned of matters, by the rest of our Cronographers ouerpassed, in verse and prose, extremely rare, imprinted by Hoskins, 1575 9 2 0

See an account of this very curious work in the Censura Literaria, vol. 5, p. 164 to 168, written by Gilchrist. It was described from the late Mr. Neunberg's Copy, which was sold for 30. 9_s._

1739 Fulwell (Ulpian). The First Parte of the Eighth Liberall Science: entituled Ars Adulandi, the Arte of Flatterie, first edition, excessively rare, title mended, a piece wanting in the centre. 4to. Imprinted by Jones, 1579 17 0 0

1877 (Marlowe) the true Tragedie of Richarde Duke of Yorke, and the Death of Good King Henrie the Sixt, with the whole contention betweene the two Houses Lancaster and Yorke, as it was sundrie times acted by the Right Honourable the Earle of Pembroke, his servants, first edition, excessively rare, and believed to be unique, very fine copy, printed at London by P.S. 1595.

4to. 131 0 0

[I refer with pleasure to Mr. Evans' long, learned, and satisfactory note upon this most precious volume; which I had the satisfaction of seeing in the Bodleian Library, for which it was purchased by Mr.

Rodd, the bookseller.]

1965 Greene in Conceipt. New raised from his grave to write the Tragique History of Faire Valeria of London, by J. D(ickenson), very rare. 4to. 1598 15 15 0

1983 Hake, of Gold's Kingdom, described in sundry poems, 1604, 12mo. 13 0 0

1984 Hakluyt. Divers Voyages touching the Discoverie of America, and the Islands adjacent unto the same, made first of all by our Englishmen, and afterwards by the Frenchmen and Britons, with both the maps, excessively rare, only one other copy known to contain the two maps. Imprinted by Woodcocke, 1582.

4to. 25 0 0

2209 Hogarde (Myles) 19 5 0

"A Mirrour of Loue, Which such light doth giue, That all men may learne, How to loue and liue."

Imprinted by Caly, 1555.

PART II.

163 Fraunce's (Abraham) Lamentations of Amintas for the death of Phillis, a Poem; excessively rare 20 10 0

164 Fyssher's (Jhon, Student of Oxford) Poems written in Dialogue, wants the title and part of a leaf, extremely rare.

Imprinted by John Tisdale, 1558 9 9 0

171 Gascoigne's Whole Woorkes, with the Comedy of Supposes and the Steele Glasse, best edition, very fine copy, in Russia. Imprinted by Jesse, 1587 10 15 0

At the end of the Volume there is a Tract by Gascoigne, entitled "Certain Notes of Instruction concerning the Making of verses, or Rimes, in English." The Tract is not mentioned in the list of contents on the title, and the four leaves very rarely occur.