Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-18
SOME RARE BOOKS.
Splendid Specimens Of the Printers
and Binders Art.
MR.. RICE'S AIRY.
1t Contains Some OF the Richest and Most
Elaborately Bound Works to he Found in
This Country-A Collection That VIII De
light the Lover of the Beautiful In Books.

The Corcoran mansion has in its lessee. Sena-
tor Brice, gentleman who will sustain its repu-
tation. not only IN the Inequalities dispensed,
and which rendered il so famous, but in bring
ing to Washington bis unique and I'M
rivaled library, Mr.. Brice has placed all
lovers OF the besutifulin books under obliga-
tons and added to the famed mansion sddi-
tional attractions. had seen an article in the
New York Tribune describing some books Mr..
Brice had exhibited at the Grolier Club, and
IRE EVENING STAR had suggested. when it was
announced Mr.. Brice had leased the Corcoran
mansion, that he would bring to II some Of
those rare books with illustrations and bindings
the like of which has not been seen here.
In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries the
art OF bookbinding had reached its zenith. The
most profuse adornments were lavished on the
covers, and the famed Grolier succeeded by
others of almost equal fame Roger Payne was,
i believe, the last Of those Of the past century
who made bookbinding one Of the fine arts, and
when he died in consequence Of incorporate
habits, he had no successor for some years.
his art has received an impetus by the en-
couragement given it Of late years. and with
such artists as have produced the works to be
found i'll the library Of Mr. Brice it cannot be
doubted the present age can exhibit specimens
which will compare favorably with those Of the
past centuries. In this age when wealth is SO
literally dispensed to provide libraries every
where, encouragement has been extended to
those artist-binders whose work to be appreci-
ated must be seen. 1t lie, believe. for the
couragement OF the art OF bookbinding that the
Grolier Club has been established in New York.
Another club in New York is designed TO adj
vance the art Of bookmaking printing and bind
ing. and the specimen in Mr. Brice's collection
of the poems of Z. c. Stedman, printed by the
Book Fellows Club" will compare favorably
with the examples of the most famous book
makers Of Europe.
THE ENLABaINa OF BOOKS.
The enlarging Of books has been in vogue for
some years, but recently the illustrating of the
text by hand painting is INDUCED in by those
whose means enable them to thus beautify
favorite authors Many Of the volumes In the
library of Mr.. Brice are thus exquisiteiv beau
titled, but none more elegantly or with more
artistic skill than Macaulay's Lays of Ancient
Rome" by MIR. Cronin of New York. The taste
FOR rare and beautiful books has grown of late
years. Mr.. Bouton of New York told me he
had orders to purchase most Of the rare books
when the celebrated Althorp library likely
to come into the market. He lamented as every
lover or books did, the disposition of that
famed collection, which deprived America Of
such treasures AS that library contained. There
were In II many Groiers bearing the arms of
Francis the First, Diane de Poitiers, Colbert,
De Thou and Mad. de Pompadour-books
bound by such artists as Nicholas Eve, Pasde-
loup, Deromes and Roger PAYNE or "Cax-
tons" this library contained fifty seven copies,
some Of them Of extreme beauty. and one or
two OF them the only examples in existence.
What was our loss was gain to the city OF Nam
chester. Mrs Rylands purchased the library as
1t stood from Lord Spencer and with the Ii
brary of her late husband presented them to the
Manchester n
This library WAS undoubtedly the finest private
collection in the world. The catalogue By Dbl
den filed seven large volumes, and they say he
tells but half the story Of this wonderful coilec
ton formed at the end of the last and the be-
ginning Of the present century by the second
Earl Spencer.
am very happy to say that Mr. Brice, the
fortunate possessor of such superb collection,
Will not, like the late James Lenox, exclude
lovers of rare and beautiful books from his
library. For many years MIR. Lenox kept his
books and paintings secluded from the general
public. 1t is related that the late Mr. Beecher
desiring to consult volume in Mr.. Lenoxs
collection called at the house and sent his card,
stating the object of his visit. and in answer
Mr.. Ienox sent word he did not recognize the
name. At his death Mr.. Lenox made princely
provision for his great collection III the massive
marble structure and the square of ground on
which it is located and by large endowment.
The talk of a city library is renewed and some
action was taken in the Senate, Mr.. Woleott
favoring it. but after some debate 1t WAS re-
ferred to the committee on the library. There
is no city in the Union where a library would
be Of such importance to its inhabitants. The
large number of government employees could
avail themselves Of what ia felt now by many as
a Geprivation. 1t will be some three or four
years before the new national library. as hope
it will be called, will be open to the public, and
in the meanwhile there is literary dearth.
SOME RARE SPECIMENS.
Returning to the library Of Senator Brice, to
which The STAR referred when it was known he
had leased the Corcoran house. and whose sug-
gestion has been taken by the Senator in bring
ing his collection here, make mention Of
some of them, few of which are only examples
OF the residue of this priceless collection which
fills the large book case on the west eide of the
library. l mention these as worthy of the place
they occupy in such extraordinary coiiec-
ton. They testify to the TASTE judgment and
knowledge of their fortunate possessor.
Milton, by Theophile Gautier. embellished
with water-color frontispiece and title page
bound in green morocco, inlaid and fooled in
exquisite designs by the srtist-binders Stike-
man 4 Co. This edition, which limited. is
printed on japan paper, and is No. 2lA of the
500 copies.
One Of the most exquisite productions Of the
printers and binders art il George Sands La
Marquise," bound bv De Lamblancx, in yellow
crushed calf inlaid most eiaborately, the
frontsplece and title page in acquarelle. II is
inclosed in highly ornamented case bound in
maroon morocco.
Z. C. Stedman's poems printed for private
distribution by the Book Fellows Club. Title
page in water color, hand painted. bound in
full morocco This copy Is No. SO Of the 100
copies printed.
'Hiawaths," by Longfellow, full bound. in
laid in original designs, with water-color title