Washington sentinel., 1855-02-17
FOR SCHOLARS AND ANrIQUARIANs

| otnatOf.
FOR SCHOLARS AND ANTIQUARIANs.
We have received catalogue of the miscel-
laneous books Of the library Of the late Edward
D. Ingraham, esq, of Philadelphia. The law
books Of this library were disposed of at pre-
vious sale.
The library of Mr.. Ingraham has always been
considered alike valuable, and unique. We
call the attention Of our readers to this sale,
which commences on the goth of March next
and continues until the books are disposed Of
There are some six thousand lots Of books in
this catalogue, containing, we should calculate
over ten thousand volumes.
Mr.. Ingraham was, probably, the most ac
complished Bibliotheque in this country he
was very familiar with the value Of the several
editions Of the multitudinous works extant !;
he knew where rare books could be had and
the prices; he was so lastidous, that unless
book was bound perfectly to suit him, he pre-
ferred to receive it in sheets, and very fire.
quently would have his books taken to pieces
and rebound The consequence is, that his
library contains choice specimens Of each work.
Mr.. Ingraham's taste was also Of nice and
discriminating character in the fine arts his
collection Of engravings and paintings show
this. A considerable portion of these had been
disposed of at previous sale.
Mr.. Ingraham took some pains to secure rare
American historical "reminiscences and we
Al. A Al.
catalogue; from which they will be able to
select many books for which they might search
long time without obtaining any like them.
His French library is, perhaps, the choicest in
this country, and Of the very rarest editions.
The dramatic collection in this library is varied
and numerous, presenting a very great variety
of editions Of Shakespeare.
Exclusively Of the fact, that most of the
books in this library are of the choicest edi-
tions, and in the best condition, very many Of
them have been in the possession and are from
the Libraries of distinguished persons.
Mr.. Ingraham commenced early in life, to
collect autographs, ndportraits Of distinguished
persons the autographs, not merely Of the sig
natures, but of letters either characteristic Of
the writer or pertinent to some book These
portraits and autographs he would insert in
such books as they would ftly illustrate. Not
only did he collect portraits and autographs,
but extracts from books and newspapers which
would serve to illustrate any of his books. He
appeared to have an instructive presentiment
IN raad;nn !, art;ola or laarn;no, IN ;no;dant
that much would follow, and he would thus in
the incipent step begin his collection, and put
all his friends under contribution to gather for
him, and so generally was this taste of his
known, that voluntarily, from all quarters,
books, autographs, extracts, portraits, &C. were
constantly pouring in upon him. All these he
judiciously used, and his books abound with all
sorts Of illustrations, not in any other Of same
editions, such as autographs, marginal notes,
portraits, letters, extracts from newspapers, &c.
He was n diligent collector Of pamphlets cat
alogues, almanacs, &C., Of which he had many
exceedingly rare and valuable.
He was also most diligent inquirer into
American history, and had in his possession,
many rare and suppressed matters Of history.
| To such an extent had he succeeded in OBJ.
tanning these secret historical facts, that a dis
tinguished gentleman, who was aware Of
these treasures Of history, once said TO Mr..
| Ingraham, that if at any time he wished to
raise fifty thousand dollars, he had only TO
advertise at public sale, fifty works in his
library, and they would in week, be purchased
for that amount at private sale. We have not
had leisure to examine the catalogue closely
enough to ascertain il any Of these are among
them. We commend to notice. as being Of
incomparably more value, than is usually at.
tributed to them, the numerous catalogues en-
braced in this library. They we're obtained by
great diligence and expense on the part Of Mr.,
| Ingraham. II was from these receptacles oi
titles, that Mr.. Ingraham learned not only OF
books, but their prices, to whom sold and where
to be found, &c. The catalogue Of Mr.. Ingra
hams own library has proved so expensive,
that it appears to have been found necessary
70 charge fifty cents copy to lessen the cx
pense to the estate. We presume, however
that no one purchasing will think it dear al
twice that price.
From our own little knowledge Of what wa;
in Mr.. Ingraham's library, we are entirely sat
isfed that the catalogue is very defective, and
must have been hastily gotten up, except tha
portion Of it, the French, prepared by Mr.. In
graham himself. We miss all reference to his
engrayings and paintings, his autographs, BIZ
collection Of the continental paper currency o
the United States, Of the several States, Of tn
French republic, &c, excellent specimens 0
all Of which he had collected and arranged
He had great many curiositiea, such as