Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-25
BOOKS THAT KINGS OWNED.
Tones From the Libraries of Crowned
Heads-Royal Autographs.

From the NeI' York Times.
Columbia University has on exhibition at
the present time a large and valuable col
lection of books Illustrating the history of
bookbinding from the period of earliest eff
forts to make the trade a fine art The
books were collected by Samuel p Avery
who has presented a number of them to the
university. The collection contains some of
the best work of the great masters of the
art But. aside from this it is interesting
as containing a number of volumes from
the private libraries of French English and
Spanish kings and from the collections of
the noble families of those countries.
One of the most interesting is from the
library of Louis XVI of France 1t IS a
work on the theater. printed in Paris in
IT'D, and contains the signature of the i'll
starred monarch, together with manuscript
notes in his own handwriting. The binding
is by Derome, in red morocco. In the cen
ter are the arms of the Countess dArtois
unsigned with a crown. This book was sold
al one time for 900 francs.
From the library of Charles w of Spain
comes a book entitled I'm Funere Carroll III,
Hispaniar Regis Cathoiici CRATIC Habita
in Sachello Ponteficio." 1t was printed in
Parma in 1853. The binding is of black
velvet embroidered with gold and silver
threads eelored silks and pieces of metal
On each cover is panel on which are the
arms of Charles Nv In gold and silver
The library of Charles III OF England con-
tributes a manuscript entitled s"lhe Stat
utes and Ordinances of the Most Noble Or
der of st. George, Named the Garter; Re-
formed. Explained, Declared and Renewed
by Prince Henry VIII" The volume dates
from about 1571- II was bound by Samuel
Merne for Charles II and bears as cipher
the interlaced &c" On the first page are
the arms of the Duke of Hamilton In gold
and water colors. ard the Official manu-
script order for the issuance of the warrant
for John Werden to be baronet is laid in
book on anatomy from the private col
lection of Diane de Poiltiers is included In
the exhibition. The work was done in 1546
The binding is white morocco and bears the
culver. arrows, fleur de lis and crescent
cipher of Diane and the double interiaced
cipher ''DH'' of Diane and Henri II
Another volume of interest is a religious
work owned by Marie Leczinska, the wife
of Louis XIV. The binding is dark moroc-
co, with fieur de lis in each corner and In
the center the arms of the queen, for
was dedicated An autograph note from the
queen to her father, Stanislaus /. Is insert-
ed. in which she signs herself mon terest
cher Papailchen de Occur ct dame q vous
Marie-chna."
The arms Of Maris de Medfcis decorate
the cover of book by Jean de Loyac. The
cover also bears the imperial crown OF
France In gold and silver. encircled With
the Gordon de veuvage IN silver. inserted
Is a letter addressed "a mon Cousin lie Car
dinaI d'Ost" and signed by Marie de Med
icis.
A description of the fetes bald at fsfras-
h0urg during the visit of Louis XIV TO that |
morocco by Pandeleup. The Drowned eli.
pher of the king Is introduced In the border
and the arms Of Lou.s XIV nss' in ~ oosstsr.
! 49,.