Daily globe., 1879-06-01
A BOOK BONANZA.
A Book Seller Hunts Down Valuable Lie.
brary-I, was Dug Up. as 1t We're, from the
Grave-A Fortune in Books.

A noticeable feature Of book-collecting
in England and probably in every old-set-
tied country, is the continued chance of
staring fresh photographed game and
hitting on newly discovered haunts Of
old treasures, whose very existence is IN
known to the present generation. A re-
markable instance Of this lately occurred
in London. In some one Of Dibdin's
books the name of Lord Acheson is casu-
ally mentioned as book-buyer and a
member Of the Roxburg Club. In pro-
cess of time he became Earl Of GosfoYd,
and was gathered to his fathers some
fifteen years since, no memory of his con-
nection with books remaining among
mankind. Last autumn well-known
bookseller, jocularly known as the EN-
peror Of Morocco" from his fondness for
binding of that material, was consulted
by the present head of the house about
moving to the family-seat in Ireland
quantity of books that were not perhaps,
disregarded, but were certainly not among
the most cherished possessions ofthe fami-
ly. The bookseller went, saw, and was
almost struck dumb at what he did see
perhaps the very choicest lot of books in
Europe, exactly such as are most passion
ately sought for in France and England
at this moment, proving that the purchas-
er must have been man of consummate
taste in advance of his own time, and with
almost prophetic anticipation Of what
would be most desirable in the eyes of
collectors of the next generation. The
result was that a large portion Of the
books did not go to Ireland, but are en-
shrined in the first floor of well-kncwn
house in Piccadilly, where, in moderate
sized room, may be seen by the favored
few from $125,O00 to $15O,OOO worth Of
books.
Here the most urgent entreaties of Par
isian booksellers and amateurs have as
yet been unable to persuade the owner to,
dispose Of any portion of the collection.
It comprises an almost complete set Of
Aldine editions, all in the choicest old
French and Italian bindings, and books
nearly without end in the famous bind
ings of the De Thou, Count Hoyn, Gro
liehr, Longepierre, ETC., libraries; others
from the collections Of Madame de Main
tenon, Madame du Barri, the French
i princesses, and royal family, displaying
the choicest work of Du Seuil, Padeloup,
De Rome, and the famous old French ar
lists, whose productions are now valued
almost literally at their weight in gold,
in the most perfect condition. The
choicest Elzev1r editions arc there, in the
best state; and, as sample Of the temp,
tations successfully resisted by the owner
two books may be mentioned: for the
Elzevir Tacitus, in two small volumes
that might be slipped into vest pocket,
Count Hoyn's copy, with his arms NOR
occo double, he has refused e100, offered
bya Partisan bookseller, and for choice
copy If the 1772 edition of Moliere, in
six volumes 8vo, with Moreau's plates
formerly sold by its present possessor TO,
81 Is e guineas), he has been offered in
vain 5000 francs. It is impossible te
tell what the future fate of this collection
may be, but the chances are that it will
be sent en- bloc to Paris, where the highes
I, prices now rule for works ofart generally
There, few months since, the collection
Of French books of an English amateur
Mr.. Robert Turner, of the Regents Park
sold for over e11,OOO, having cost th'
owner about $4,000.