New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-26
IN ECCENTRIC BOOKSELLER.

From The GenHcmGH's NdGd-iRe
In some future edition of Eng ish Eccentrics' n
place should he reserved for Old sans the once we'll
known bookseller.
When / first encountered Sans he occupied the
shop in the market-place at Darlington in which he
died. The impression preserve OF him Is that OF a
tall, notwithstanding man in Quaker-lke cos
tune of rusty back aud with black galters. This
was about $4,000, when was stu Young man,
and such but ind fiereuty ohscrvant AT least OF
any one belonging 10 my own sex. sans had de1
Cidcd stOOp lean pinched and scholarly face, and
long white hair. In that curious old shop with it1
two low windows. one on each side OF the door olu
Sans kept collection Of books such as 10 bOOkse-
Ter out OF London could rival Here were folio Shake
speaTes and Chaucers galore with CaNtons, Wynken
de WOrdes and PynsOus enough TO make the blbilo-
phle's mouth water. Woe however. TO the ignorant
and confiding purchaser who trusted to Sans :
plausible speeches and the manuscript notices IN
front of ms volumes. III ever II was necessary 10
take to heart the sage counsel Cdredt empt0r 1t was
when his shop was entered. In those days, as III
these, photographed knowledge was in very few
hands Aware OF this fact, Sans did not hesitate TO
make up his books in a fashion that puts TO shame
the bungling attempts IN the direction OF some
modern booksellers was early, if vain y put on
my guard. Having on my first visit bought or Sans
what professed to DE a copy of PynsOn's edition OF
Barclays Ship OF Fooles," and discovered that
the bulk of the volume made up
from the much Inferior edition of
Cawood | learned to investigate closely Mr.
Samss book raritcs The closest and most careful
inspection and collation. were necessary to prevent
being imposed upon. aud these under the condi-
lions under which alone purchase was possible
were matters of extreme difficulty. | remember
one occasion when, after buying IRON MIN more
than $40 worth of books and paying
him for them, as necessary III hard cash, /
found the waning light of a September day impede
further exploration. AS had two or three shelves
through which to CO. | asked for a light and was
refused Ultimately was allowed a candle on con-
s!deratiOn of paying a halfpenny for IT. MIserll-
ness was the chief characteristic of Sans next 10
that came his affection for some of his books. There
were certain volumes he would never SELL and there
were cases i'll his upstairs room which during The
five years LII which knew him he TeSOutey refused
to open.
When last | visited his shop, Sans was lying ne
elected and alone upon what proved, day or two
later, to be his deatn-bed. In his shop were two
women, one old and having the look OF a char
woman, a second young and with the appearance of
o domestic servant These two were selling the
books which were not marked in a strange hap
hazard fashion, laying their heads together with
knowledge that the prices had to be HIGH but with
obtained one or two volumes for "A sum that would
undoubtedly have slain tile old man had he lived 10
hear OF it. Whether was quite justified III carry
ing off tor COS. IA Lydgatcs " FAN of Princes IN a
superb old blnOing Tor which old Sans would GER
tainly have demanded 10 guineas, | have SINCE
doubted At the time had scrupes but was
rather inclined u chuckle over purchase that did
something 10 compensate me for the many frauds
by which, III spite OF my utmost Caution had suf-
fered. | had at one time the idea OF introducing
this wonderful old mlSer INTO a work OF fiction. In
Stead, however, Of lining trunks With the matter OF
a printed romance, l have allowed "A good intention
to join with others Ill furnishing the proVerDial
tnr