New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-10-01
The Menzle0 Library.

Wynue showed fourteen years ago in his
"Private Libraries of New York" that col.
lectors here arc not in the least behind
transatlantic book collectors In their pur.
suit of unique editione, uncut copies, su-
perb relieurcs and other bibliomaniacai Pc
Of nearly 500 pages, containing the 225l lots
in the Catalogue of the Books, Manu-
scripts and Engravings belonging to Will
liam Menzies, Of New York, prepared by
Joseph Sabin," and just issued, would be .
efficient warranty. It In not easy with .
catalogue footing from Us, 600 to $l00, 900
iudiciously to give . description of tho
Mensies Library. A more epicuresn col.
lector than the owner could hardly be
conceived, and whose taste has been al.
most - expensive and diversiied - htera-
ture itself. An example may be noted in his
cot of Dibdin's photographed works, in
which he has inserted upwards of 1000 id
ditional illustrations, and in order to com.
plete the series without spot or blemish
three copies of the same work had often to
be taken to pieces to bring ono to perfec-
lstivensss of the Dibdin which takes up
nine pages in description. it IL still harder
in tho case of the piece De resistance of the
library, the large paper copy OF Irving's
Life of Washingson," which has been ex-
tended to twelve volumes by the addition
of no LEES than 400 inserted illustrations in
extension of the 40 genuine unlettered first
proof plates belonging to the work and OBJ
tanned direct from the publisher IN advance
of issue. Not only do these eng aviDgs
comprise rare proofs, but also seventy spe-
cially prepared colored photographs Of emf
nent persons whose portraits have not been
engraved, and over sixty water cOl0rs of
WashingtOn's headquarters and other nota-
BILE localities have been taken for these vol
umes. The two works named are notable
feature OF it's richness in extra illustrated
of late years and almost seems to be crowd
iDa out of the market the Elzevirs, Cax.
tons, the rsrer Americana and the like, for
which collectors were formerly Famous
Among the volumes enhanced with thou
sands Of superb engravings and an auto
graph letter, may be enumerated the ten
volumes Of the Boston edition Of 1.-The
Works of John Adams" A unique copy of
the first and unexpurgated edition of De-
temporary portraits added. In Robert
Yulton's life by his friend Cadwallsder
Golden is the adjnnct of IN autograph let
ter by the inventor giving directions re-
specting the construction of . steam boat,
and over forty inserted engrsvings. "The
Life Of Washington" by Custis, Bodden's
''Shakespeass Portraits," and brakes
History Of Boston" are also especially
noticeable in this direction Veteran
New YorkoRs, indignant at The attempted
continued desecrati0n of the Battery, may
find food for sdmirstion Of the spot as it
was befOse the emigration commissioners
squatted thereon in Dr.. Francis "Old New
York." large paper copy with 500 addi-
ti0nal Illustrations. In extended copies of
SsndersOn's "Lives of the Signers," Frank
Inns 'tWorks," Gsrden's "American Anec-
dotes," Schroeders "Iife OF Washington"
Part0n's "Life of Jackson" "rhe Blenner-
hasses Papers," Randalls "Lfe of Jefier
son" and Warren's American Revolution"
the spirit of rs is ably brought to the front
by the lmner's pencil. Andre is shown to
us by . copy of Winthrop Sargent's life of
the unfortunate major. Early English and
French history are wildly delineated by
the illuminated illustrations ADDED to the
l8Aa edition of F1oissart's 'Chronicles."
Not content with the charming character
OF the Abbotef0rd edition of the "Wsver-
ley novels" Mr.. Menzies hes worked HE
copy up to twenty-four volumes, in which
added to brilliant set of unlettered artists
proofs ON India paper, are illustrations
comprising the finer portraits and views
relating to Scott or his works. The eight
volumes Of Knights "Shskespeare" have
been enlarged BY many hundred portraits,
subjects and viowA In concluding refer
ence to the bset examples OF this more
recent form Of bibliophiism, work which
especially deeeryee notice should net Do
forgotten: The najaf 1923 edition OF Hor-
go Walpols's "A1seaeese Of Patneng II
HaGlaad," work Whieh, Dibdia eaad, TN
H. COED old tines Of TIE bihheoanta,