The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-07-06
M. IDIOTS Library.
The Recent Sale OF MSS. and Rare Books
mud Miniatures In Paris.

The recent sale of the library OF NJ. Didot
in Paris showed to what lengths bibliomania
goes nowadays, for the prices obtained Tor the
most valuable articles. both printed and in
manuscript, were altogether extraordinary.
Although England and Germany Were repre-
scented by Mr.. Quaritch. Mr. Ellis. and Mr.. Cohn
they were unable to curry of the gems OF tho
first water which tho French amateurs seemed
determined to keep in their own country.
Tho choicest Ms. in the sulc was "Chronques
dc Normandie." n splendid MS. of the fifteenth
century. with fifteen large miniatures. among
winch were representations OF the battle OF
Hastings tho coronation OF william the Con-
qneror. &c. This noble volume fell 10 Mrssrs
Moreand Fatout forthc large price OF ,2uu.
Chroniuues dcs ancicns RQis ct Ducs de Bour-
gognc was kecnly contested with the same firm
by Mr.. Ellis. who however gave up the strr,uggl9
the. Roman dc Ia Rose. with two large and sixty
eight small miniatures in camaieu grls, was ad-
judged to Mr.. Quqritch. Ct the sum 81 lg2O:
d'AnRoul6me, MS. ot the sixteenth century
with eleven miniatures, fetched $1,000. Le
Trcspas de rHcrmine Regreuee (Funerailles
dAnnc dc Brctagnc) an Unpublished MS. on
vellum. executed about 1918, and ornamented
less eager than Tor the Mss. nor were tho
prices obtained less satisfactory to tho vendors
Here again the French amateurs either per
sonally or through their agents, were hardly to
be beaten. Ono Of the most interesting books
from atypographica point OF view, was Leslrlt
de Ia Fortune tpar Martin Franco. n folio volume
from the press Of Colard Mansion Of Bruges 70
whom Caxton wis so much indebted. The only
library Of Sainte- Gencvevc at Paris Though
the copy now sold had once belonged To the
magnificent library Of Mr. Hebcr we fear 1t will
mover return to England. Since tho dispersion
Of his library II had belonged To the Prince OF
Essling and TO NJ Yemeniz Of lyons. At tho
sale OF. his library In 1867 i was purchased by
Mr.. Cohn. who sold it To NJ. Didot. Mr.. Quar-
itch made u gallant attempt TO recover this
precious volume for England, hut 1t was. adj
judged to the Baron James de Rothschild Tor
Fl 500 francs.
Another volume specially remarkable for its
rarity and the beauty OF its condition. WIS
Olivier dc Castillo. a romance OF chivnlry, with
out place or date of printing. but believed TO
have been executed ut Geneva about 1890. This
treasure. consisting OF only ffty-two leaves, WIS
also bought 10y Baron James de Rothschild for
$4,000 tabout its weight in Go notcsl. the under
bidder being NJ. Tcchcner OF Paris, who doubles
the character Of Il learned bookseller and nm en-
thusiastic hibliomaninc. To him fell Clera-
dus and Meliadice. Paris, 1895. folio. the only
known copy printed ON velum. truly beauu-
ful volume. for $500.
Some Of the editions Of Corneile were sold
for extraordinary prices. Guvres do Corneille.
l6li-52, three small l2mo. volumes, sold for
81. 0l0 TO NJ. Ravenat OF Grenobe. lie Theatre
de T. Corneile Paris. 1866. six volumes. Syo..
went for ~ $50. The early-printed books were
not very numerous but fine copy OF the
Catholicon. printed by Gutenberg. or rather by
his successors, dated 1860. was bought by Mr..
Qnaritch for 81 $50.
We must notice the last volume sold in tho
sale. Chroniques de Monstrclet. printed ut Paris
about 1900 by Anthony Verard. These beaut
full volumes were purchased in Holland in 1862
by Mr.. Tooyey Of London; from him they were
purchased by NJ Techcner. and sold TO NJ, Didot
for $1,000. They wsre. now adIudged to the son
and successor Of NJ. Techener, from whom NJ.
Ddot purchased them for tho sum OF $1,000.
Should they occur for sale in another sixteen
years. It is by no means too much 70 anticipate
that they may bring double the price now OBJ
tanned for them.