Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-01-28
high Priced Books.

One of the most interesting book
sales that has taken place for many
years in London was that week of the
large, choice and carefully selected
library of the late DR.. Laing, of EdIn-
burgh, the well-known Librarian of the
Signet Library, one of the most acute
and indefatigable collectors Of old books
ever known. Extraordinary prices
were obtained, though not higher than
the rarity of the works merited. The
six days sale realized nearly IS 900,
and some wonderfully scarce works
were disposed Of. A copy of the first
edition of Don Quixote,' with the
authors corrected text, said to be the
finest and most perfect in existence
Madrid, 1eOS), fetched ESQ. a beau
tiful two-volumed copy of the "Brevi-
arium. Secundum Ritum Romano
Ecclesia cum Calendars" went for
E93. 1t was printed at Venice in l4s2,
and only one other copy exists, that be-
ing in the National Library at Paris.
"A DlDlld IdIlud, III thO VI AAoi van
bards with covers of stamped pigskin
and quaint clasps, fetched ESi; 1t was
published at NurembHrg in l417. a
s'Scotorum Historia," by Hector Boece
Q526), went for 81; it was the dediea-
ton copy to James V. An edition of
one of Calvin's principal works fetched
f37. Only one ether copy exists, and
that, an imperfect one, is in the public
library of Geneva. The Bannatyns
Club publications went for f200, and
those of the Abbotsford Club for 80
guineas. "Barbour's Actys and Lyfe
of Robert Bruce, King of Scotland"
black letter, although imperfect, fetch
ed s142. A magnificent copy, in anti
Que red morocco, of Sir john Dalrym-
pies 'Institutions OF the Law of Sect
land' Edinburgh, 1851 y fetched f295.
This was the copy dedicated to Charles
III. and had the royal arms on each
side. "a Quaint Manual for Commu-
nicants" (Edinburg, l5SD fetched 81
and first edition Of Robinson Crusoe"
went for s3l. A very rare black-let-
ter tract, "Copie of 4 letter sent into |
Scotlande on the Arrival and Lanaynge |
and most noble Marriage of Philippe
Prynce of Spain TO Marye Queene of
England" fetched s2S. Archbishop |
Hamilton's 'Catechisme' (St. Androus,
1882, fetched s14s. A first edition of
sIa Fontaine's Fables" fl0l. One of
the bargains OF the sale was an edition
de luxe of the cabinet du Roy" con-
tanning ninety-five most beautiful en-
cravings after the old masters. The |
arms of Louis XIV were on the covers, |
and the copy is believed TO have belong |
ed to him; it went for e3l. The |
s'Chronicles OF England" by Machli- |
mia. being badly preserved, went for
60 15s., although there is but one per-
feet copy, and that is in Lord Spencer's |
library at Althorp. A "Confession C1
Fayth" Edinburgh, 1861 fetched 1872,
DIR. Laing having paid 50 for it at the
Chalmers sale. a copy Of the Kill
marnock edition of Burns Containing |
an autograph letter Of Lockhart) fetch
ed $50. 4 blackwood's "Martyre de |
Marie Royne d'Escosse" Edinburgh,
1873, a scathing nYective against
Elizabeth, fetched 50. Zachary Boyd's
last Battel of the Soule in Death |
Edinburgh, 1920, went for f53. The
Earl of Bute's Botanical Tables" fetch
ed f77. After twelve copies of this
work had been printed, at cost OF
$4,000 the copper plates were destroy
ed. For this copy Lord Bute's grand
son paid sl20 in l7sS. A great num-
Der of the most valuable works were |
brought for Scotland.