The library of Miss Richardson Currer was sold at Sotheby?s in 1862, during ten days, for ?5984.

In July 1864 was sold by Sotheby, Wilkinson, and Hodge the extremely interesting library of George Daniel, which was specially rich in old English literature, and remarkable for the superb collection of Shakespeare folios and quartos. The sale occupied ten days, and realised ?15,865.

At the same auction rooms were sold in 1865 the library of J. B.

Nicholl, in two parts, for ?6175; in 1867 the library of Sir Charles Price for ?5858; and in 1868 the library of Macready, the actor, for ?1216.

In 1868, 1869, 1870, 1871, and 1873 were sold at Sotheby?s eight portions of the unique poetical library of the Rev. T. Corser, which realised ?19,781.

The library, engravings, and autographs of John Dillon were sold by the same firm in 1869, during twelve days, for ?8700.

The library of Lord Selsey was sold in 1872 for ?4757.

The sale in 1873 by Messrs. Gadsden, Ellis & Co., at Hanworth Park, of the grand library of Henry Perkins created a sensation. The late owner had been a purchaser at the time of the bibliomaniacal fever after the Roxburghe sale, and for years the library was practically forgotten, so that the opportunity afforded to book-collectors of purchasing its choice rarities came as a surprise. The four days? sale realised ?25,954.

In 1874 the choice library of Sir William t.i.te was sold at Sotheby?s, during sixteen days, for ?19,943.

The same firm sold the library of the Rev. C. H. Crauford, during five days, in July 1876 for ?6229.

In 1878 Messrs. Sotheby sold the very choice collection of books and miniatures formed by Mr. J. T. Payne, of the firm of Payne & Foss, which realised ?2843, or about ?16 per lot, the day?s sale consisting of only 117 lots.

In 1879, 1880, and 1881 the fine library of Dr. David Laing, of the Signet Library, Edinburgh, was sold at Sotheby?s in four portions, which realised a total of ?16,536, the first part alone making ?13,288.

A portion of the library of Cecil Dunn Gardner was sold in June 1880 at Sotheby?s, during six days, for ?4734. The same firm sold in 1881 a portion of the Earl of Clare?s library for ?2130, a portion of Lord Hampton?s library for ?3539, and a portion of the library of G. L. Way for ?2324; Daniel Gurney?s library, four days, ?1687; library of a collector (Mr. Gulston), ?1173.

Never before has there been, and probably never again will there be, two such remarkable sales as those of the Sunderland and Beckford libraries at the same time. The Sunderland library, the sale of which was commenced by Messrs. Puttick and Simpson in December 1881, was formed by Charles, third Earl of Sunderland, who died on 19th April 1722, and was transferred from the Earl?s house in Piccadilly in 1733, when Charles, fifth Earl of Sunderland, became Duke of Marlborough. Successive Dukes of Marlborough added a few books to the library, but it is noteworthy, as we turn over page after page of the catalogue, how seldom we come upon a book published since 1722. On the 1st of December a large company was gathered in the famous auction-room in Leicester Square, to watch the progress of what promised to be one of the most remarkable sales of modern times. Some of those who formed this company were to become duellists in the fight over the treasures arranged upon the shelves round the room, for the fight for the chief lots always resolved itself into a duel in the end. Those who expected the books to make a distinguished external appearance were disappointed, for more than a century?s occupation of the great library at Blenheim, with a scorching sun beating down upon the backs of the books from the huge windows, had destroyed a large proportion of the bindings. When the sale opened it was seen that prices would rule high; but at the same time, the character of the library, which contained many books now hopelessly out of fashion, was marked by the sudden drop in the prices from hundreds of pounds to a shilling or so, soon again to rise to hundreds of pounds.

Mr. Quaritch was the hero of the sale, and after him the chief combatants were Mr. F. S. Ellis and M. Techener, while Mr. Henry Stevens, Mr. Pearson, Messrs. Pickering, Messrs. Morgand and Fatout, and some others made a good fight for the lots they required. As the bids of ?10 and upwards went on rapidly till ?1000--in some cases more--were reached, the excited faces of those around formed a sight worth seeing, for few could resist the excitement, which found vent in applause, when the lot was knocked down.

Part 1, December 1881, realised ?19,373. Part 2, April 1882, ?9376. Part 3, July, ?7792. Part 4, November, ?10,129. Each of these parts consisted of ten days? sale. Part 5 (and last), March 1883, contained eleven days?

sale, and realised ?9908. The lots were numbered throughout the parts, and amounted to 13,858. The total amount realised by the sale was ?56,581, 6s.

When the sale was concluded Mr. Quaritch made a short speech appropriate to the occasion, and said that ?This was the most wonderful library that had been sold by auction in the present century. Fine as the Hamilton library was he could form another like it to-morrow, but nothing like the Sunderland library would be seen again as a private collection. He held its founder in the highest respect and grat.i.tude.?

On the 30th of June 1882 the sale of the beautiful library of William Beckford was commenced at Sotheby?s by Mr. Hodge. The books were in the finest condition, and in consequence they fetched very high prices. Mr.

Henry Bohn, writing to _The Times_ at the commencement of this sale, said that Beckford was the greatest book enthusiast he ever knew. He was a great collector of ?Aldines and other early books bearing the insignia of celebrities, such as Francis I., Henri et Diane, and De Thou, and especially of choice old morocco bindings by Deseuil, Pasdeloup, and Derome.? Mr. Bohn further said that after Beckford?s death, and while the books were still at Bath, the Duke of Hamilton, Beckford?s son-in-law, wished to sell the whole library. Mr. Bohn offered ?30,000, payable within a week; but although the Duke would willingly have accepted the offer, the d.u.c.h.ess would not agree to the sale of her father?s books. Mr. Bohn estimated that the library was now worth ?50,000. It actually sold for ?73,551. Part 1, June and July 1882, consisted of twelve days? sale and 3197 lots, which realised ?31,516.

Part 2, December, twelve days, 2732 lots, ?22,340. Part 3, July 1883, twelve days, 2781 lots, ?12,852. Part 4 (and last), November, four days, 1127 lots, ?6843. The total number of lots in the forty days? sale was 9837.

The library collected by the Duke of Hamilton (when Marquis of Douglas) at the same time as Beckford was adding to his own, was sold by Messrs.

Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge during eight days of May 1884. There were 2136 lots, which realised ?12,892. The most valuable portion of the Hamilton library was the collection of matchless ma.n.u.scripts, which were kept distinct from the printed books, and sold to the German Government.

During the years that the Blenheim and Hamilton Palace libraries were selling many valuable sales took place, and since then there have been a great number of fine libraries dispersed. We have only s.p.a.ce to mention shortly a few of these; but with respect to the last ten years there is the less need for a full list, in that a valuable record of sales is given in the annual volumes of Slater?s ?Book Prices Current,? and Temple Scott?s ?Book Sales.?

The important topographical library of James Comerford was sold by Sotheby, Wilkinson, and Hodge in 1881. There were 4318 lots, in thirteen days? sale, which realised ?8327.

In 1882 the library of Frederic Ouvry, P.S.A., which consisted of 1628 lots, in a six days? sale, was sold at Sotheby?s for ?6169; and the choice library of a gentleman, ?3366.

In March 1882 was sold a portion of the Right Hon. A. J. B.

Beresford-Hope?s library (two days, ?2316), and further portions were sold in 1892.

The Stourhead heirlooms (Sir Richard Colt h.o.a.re) were sold at Sotheby?s in July 1883, eight days, 1971 lots, ?10,028.

The Towneley Hall library, consisting of 2815 lots, in an eight days?

sale, realising ?4616, and the Towneley Hall ma.n.u.scripts (two days, 235 lots, ?4054) were both sold in June 1883 at Sotheby?s, as was also the Drake library (four days, ?3276).

In 1884 were sold at Sotheby?s the library of Francis Bedford, bookbinder (five days, 1551 lots), for ?4867, and the Syston Park library of Sir John Hayford Thorold, Bart. (eight days, 2110 lots), ?28,001.

The Earl of Gosford?s library was sold by Puttick and Simpson in 1884, eleven days, 3363 lots, ?11,318.

It is curious to compare the sale of a library such as Beckford?s with one like James Crossley. Both were great collectors, and possessed many dainties; but whilst the former was particular as to condition, with the consequence that his books fetched high prices, the latter was regardless of this, and necessarily his sold for small sums.

One portion of Crossley?s library was sold at Manchester by F. Thompson & Son (seven days, 2682 lots), but other two parts were dispersed in London by Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge. Part 1 (1884), seven days, 2824 lots. Part 2 (1885), nine days, 3119 lots, ?4095.

The fine library of the Earl of Jersey at Osterley Park was sold by Sotheby?s in May 1885 for ?13,007; where also was sold, in the following month, the library of the Rev. J. F. Russell for ?8682.

In 1885 the sale of the miscellaneous but valuable library of Leonard Lawrie Hartley was commenced by Messrs. Puttick & Simpson. Part 1 (1885) consisted of 2475 lots, occupying ten days in the selling, which realised ?9636. Part 2 (1886), ten days? sale of 2582 lots, ?5258. Part 3 (1887), eight days? sale of 2937 lots, ?1635.

In January 1886 was sold the library of Mr. Wodhull, ?11,972; and in November of the same year Edward Solly?s, F.R.S., ?1544.

A selection from the magnificent library of the Earl of Crawford was sold at Sotheby?s in 1887 and 1889. Portion 1 (1887), ten days, 2146 lots, realised ?19,073. Portion 2 (1889), four days, 1105 lots, ?9324.

Messrs. Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge in 1887 and 1888 sold the almost equally fine library of Mr. James T. Gibson-Craig. First portion (1887), ten days, 2927 lots, realised ?6803. Second portion (1888), fifteen days, 5364 lots, ?7907. Third portion (1888), three days, ?809. The total amount realised for the three portions was ?15,509.

A choice portion of Baron Seilli?re?s library was sold in February 1887 (1440 lots, ?14,944). A second portion was afterwards sold in Paris.

In 1888 Messrs. Christie, Manson & Woods sold the library of the Earl of Aylesford (?10,574); and the Wimpole library, which formerly belonged to Lord Chancellor Hardwicke (?3244).

In the same year the beautiful library of Mr. R. S. Turner was sold at Sotheby?s. Part 1, June 1888, twelve days, 2999 lots, ?13,370. Part 2, November 1888, fourteen days, ?2874. The total amount realised for the whole library was ?16,244.

Mr. Turner sold in Paris in 1878 a previous collection of books in 774 lots, which realised the large sum of 319,100 francs (?12,764).

In February 1889 were sold at Sotheby?s the Earl of Hopetoun?s library of 1263 lots for ?6117, and that of R. D. Dyneley, ?3084. At the same auction rooms, and in the same year, were sold the library of John Mansfield Mackenzie of Edinburgh, remarkable for a large number of ill.u.s.trated editions of modern authors, 2168 lots, in an eight days?

sale, ?7072; and that of J. O. Halliwell Phillipps, four days, 1291 lots, ?2298.

Also at Sotheby?s in 1889 were sold the libraries of Frederick Perkins (2086 lots, ?8222); the Duke of Buccleuch (selection), 1012 lots, ?3705; W. D. Salmond, ?2557.

In the following year Thomas Gaisford?s library was sold at Sotheby?s (eight days, 2218 lots, ?9236); also that of Frederick William Cosens (twelve days, 4995 lots, ?5571); that of Sir Edward Sullivan (choicer portion), ?11,002; that of Frank Marshall (six days, 1937 lots, ?2187); that of Alexander Young, ?2238; and that of T. H. Southby, ?2241.

In 1891 were sold the libraries of Cornelius Paine (?3677); Edward Hailstone of Walton Hall:--Part 1, ten days, 2728 lots, ?4738. Part 2, eight days, 2904 lots, ?4252 (total, ?8991); W. H. Crawford of Lakelands, county Cork, twelve days, 3428 lots, ?21,255; J. Anderson Rose, ?2450; and Lord Brabourne, four days, 1149 lots, ?2042.

The remainder of Lord Brabourne?s library was sold by Messrs. Puttick & Simpson in 1893 (three days, 995 lots, ?1058).

In 1892 were sold the libraries of John Wingfield Larking (three days, 946 lots, ?3925); of Edwin Henry Lawrence (four days, 860 lots, ?7409); of Joshua H. Hutchinson (832 lots, ?2377); of Count Louis Apponyi, ?3363; and of ?a gentleman deceased? (418 lots, ?2411)--all at Sotheby?s.

In 1893 were sold at Sotheby?s the Bateman heirlooms (W. & T. Bateman), six days? sale, 1840 lots, ?7296; of Howard Wills, ?8204; and of H. G.

Reid, ?3466; of Fred Burgess (dramatic library), ?1558; also selected portion of the Auchinleck library, ?2525. At the same rooms the sale of the Rev. W. E. Buckley?s library was commenced. Part 1, ten days, 3552 lots, ?4669. The second part was sold in April 1893, twelve days, 4266 lots, ?4751. The total amount realised by the two sales was ?9420.

A choice collection of books was sold by Sotheby in 1894, viz., the library of Birket Foster, 1361 lots, ?5198.

In 1895 were sold at Sotheby?s the libraries of Mons. John Gennadius, eleven days, 3222 lots, ?5466; of Baron Larpent, ?2630; of T. B. F.