magnificent volume, for size and condition. It is printed in Verard's large
type, in long lines. The illuminations are highly coloured. This copy is
UPON VELLUM.[75]
Suppose, now, I throw in a little variety from the preceding, by the
mention of a rare _Italian_ book or two? Let me place before you a choice
copy of the
MONTE SANCTO DI DIO. _Printed in 1477_. Folio. This, you know, is the
volume about which the collectors of early copper-plate engraving are never
thoroughly happy until they possess a perfect copy of it: perhaps a copy of
a more covetable description than that which is now before me. There is a
duplicate of the first cut: of which one impression is faint, and miserably
coloured, and the other is so much cut away to the left, as to deprive the
man, looking up, of his left arm. There is an exceedingly well executed
duplicate of the large Christ, drawn with a pen. In the genuine print there
is too much of the burr. The impression of the Devil eating human beings,
within the lake of fire, is a good bold one. This copy is bound in red
morocco, but in a flaunting style of ornament.
LA SFORZIADA. _Printed in 1480_. Folio. It is just possible you may not
have forgotten the description of a copy of this work--like the present,
struck off UPON VELLUM--which appears in the _Bibliographical
Decameron_.[76] That copy, you may remember, adorns the choice collection
of our friend George Hibbert, Esq.[77] The book before me is doubtless a
most exquisite one; and the copy is of large dimensions. The illuminated
first page very strongly resembles that in the copy just mentioned. The
portraits appear to be the same: but the Cardinal is differently habited,
and his phisiognomical expression is less characteristic here than in the
same portrait in Mr. Hibbert's copy. The head of Duke Sforza, his brother,
seems to be about the same.
The lower compartment of this splendidly illuminated page differs
materially from that of Mr. Hibbert's copy. There are two figures kneeling,
apparently portraits; with the sea in the distance. The figure of St. Louis
appears in the horizon--very curious. To the right, there are rabbits
within an enclosure, and human beings growing into trees. The touch and
style of the whole are precisely similar to what we observe in the other
copy so frequently mentioned. The capital initials are also very similar.
It is a pity that, during the binding, (which is in red morocco) the vellum
has been so very much crumpled. This copy measures thirteen inches and
seven eighths, by nine inches and three eighths.
I must now lay before you a few more Classics, and conclude the whole with
miscellaneous articles.
TERENTIUS. _Printed by Ulric Han_. Folio. _Without date_. In all
probability the first edition of the author by Ulric Han, and perhaps the
second in chronological order; that of Mentelin being considered the first.
It is printed in Ulric Han's larger roman type. This may be considered a
fine genuine copy--in old French binding, with the royal arms.
ARISTOTELIS OPERA. _Printed by Aldus_. 1495, &c. 6 vols. Would you believe
it--here are absolutely TWO copies of this glorious effort of the Aldine
Press, printed UPON VELLUM!? One copy belonged to the famous _Henri II. and
Diane de Poictiers_, and is about an eighth of an inch taller and wider
than the other; but the other has not met with fair play, from the
unskilful manner in which it has been bound--in red morocco. Perhaps the
interior of this second copy may be preferred to that of Henri II. The
illuminations are ancient, and elegantly executed, and the vellum seems
equally white and beautiful. Probably the tone of the vellum in the other
copy may be a _little_ more sombre, but there reigns throughout it such a
sober, uniform, mellow and genuine air--that, brilliant and captivating as
may be the red morocco copy--_he_ ought to think more than _once_ or
_twice_ who should give it the preference. The arms of the morocco copy, in
the first page of the Life of Aristotle, from Diogenes Laertius, have been
cut out. This copy came from the monastery of St. Salvador; and the
original, roughly stamped, edges of the leaves are judiciously preserved in
the binding. Both copies have the _first_ volume upon _paper_. Indeed it
seems now clearly ascertained that it was never printed upon vellum.[78]
The copy of Henri II. measures twelve inches and a quarter, by eight and an
eighth.
PLUTARCHI OPUSCULA MORALIA. _Printed by Aldus_. 1509. Folio. 2 vols.
Another, delicious MEMBRANACEOUS treasure from the fine library of Henri
II. and Diane de Poictiers; in the good old original coverture, besprinkled
with interlaced D's and H's. It is in truth a lovely book--measuring ten
inches and five eighths, by seven inches and three eighths; but I suspect a
little cropt. Some of the vellum is also rather tawny--especially the first
and second leaves, and the first page of the text of Plutarch. These
volumes reminded me of the first Aldine Plato, also UPON VELLUM, in the
library of Dr. W. Hunter; but I question if the Plato be _quite_ so
beautiful a production.
EUSTATHIUS IN HOMERUM. 1542. Folio. 4 vols. Printed UPON VELLUM--and
probably unique. A set of matchless volumes--yet has the binder done them
great injustice, by the manner in which the backs are cramped or choked.
The exteriors, in blazing red morocco, are not in the very best taste. A
good deal of the vellum is also of too yellow a tint, but it is of a most
delicate quality.
ARISTOTELIS ETHICA NICHOMACHEA. Gr. This volume forms a part only of the
first Aldine edition of the Nichomachean ethics of Aristotle. The margins
are plentifully charged with the Scholia of Basil the Great, as we learn
from an original letter of "Constantinus Palæocappa, grecus" to Henry the
Second--whose book it was, and who shewed the high sense he entertained of
the Scholia, by having the volume bound in a style of luxury and splendour
beyond any thing which I remember to have seen--as coming from his library.
The reverse of the first leaf exhibits a beautiful frame work, of silver
ornaments upon a black ground--now faded; with the initials and devices of
Henry and Diane de Poictiers. Their arms and supporters are at top. Within
this frame work is the original and beautifully written letter of
Constantine Palæocappa. On the opposite page the text begins--surrounded by
the same brilliant kind of ornament; having an initial H of extraordinary
beauty. The words, designating the Scholia, are thus:
[Greek: META SCHOLIÔN BASILEIOU TOU MEGALOU.]
These Scholia are written in a small, close, and yet free Greek character,
with frequent contractions. Several other pages exhibit the peculiar
devices of Henry and Diana--having silver crescents and arrow-stocked
quivers. This book is bound in boards, and covered with dark green velvet,
now almost torn to threads. In its original condition, it must have been an
equally precious and resplendent tome. It measures twelve inches and a
quarter, by eight inches and three eighths.
EUCLIDES. _Printed by Ratdolt_. 1482. Folio. A copy UPON VELLUM. The
address of Ratdolt, as it sometimes occurs, is printed in golden letters;
but I was disappointed in the view of this book. Unluckily the first leaf
of the text is ms. but of the time. At the bottom, in an ancient hand, we
read "_Monasterii S. Saluatoris bonon. signatus In Inuentario numero 524._"
It is a large copy, but the vellum is rather tawny.
PRISCIANUS. _Printed by V. de Spira_. 1470. Folio. First edition, UPON
VELLUM. This is a book, of which, as you may remember, some mention has
been previously made;[79] and I own I was glad to turn over the
membranaceous leaves of a volume which had given rise, at the period of its
acquisition, to a good deal of festive mirth. At the first glance of it, I
recognised the cropping system. The very first page of the text has lost,
if I may so speak, its head and shoulders: nor is such amputation to be
wondered at, when we read, to the left, "_Relié par_ DEROME dit le Jeune."
Would you believe it--nearly one half of the illumination, at top, has been
sliced away? The vellum is beautifully delicate, but unluckily not
uniformly white. Slight, but melancholy, indications of the worm are
visible at the beginning--which do not, however, penetrate a great way.
Yet, towards the end, the ravages of this book-devourer are renewed: and
the six last leaves exhibit most terrific evidences of his power. This
volume is bound in gay green morocco--with water-tabby pink lining.
BUDÆUS. COMMENT. GR. LING. 1529. Folio. Francis the First's own copy--and
UPON VELLUM! You may remember that this book was slightly alluded to at the
commencement of a preceding letter. It is indeed a perfect gem, and does
one's heart good to look at it. Budæus was the tutor of Francis, and I
warrant that he selected the very leaves, of which this copy is composed,
for his gallant pupil. Old Ascensius was the printer: which completes the
illustrious trio. The illuminations, upon the rectos of the first and
second leaves, are as beautiful as they are sound. Upon the whole, this
book may fairly rank with any volume in either of the vellum sets of the
Aldine Aristotle. It is bound in red morocco; a little too gaudily.
CICERONIS ORATIONES. _Printed by Valdarfer_. 1471: Folio. Still revelling
among VELLUM copies of the early classics. This is a fine book, but it is
unluckily imperfect. I should say that it was of large and genuine
dimensions, did not a little close cropping upon the first illuminated page
tell a different tale. It measures twelve inches and six eighths, by eight
inches and a half. Upon the whole, though there be a few uncomfortably
looking perforations of the worm, this is a very charming copy. Its
imperfections do not consist of more than the deficiency of one leaf, which
contains the table.
OVIDII OPERA OMNIA. _Printed by Azoguidi_. 1471. Folio. 3 vols. The
supposed FIRST EDITION, and perhaps (when complete)[80] the rarest Editio
Princeps in existence. The copy before me partakes of the imperfection of
almost every thing earthly. It wants two leaves: but it is a magnificent,
and I should think unrivalled, copy--bating such imperfection. It measures
very nearly thirteen inches and a quarter, by little more than eight inches
three quarters. It is bound in red morocco.
ÆSOPUS. Latinè. _Printed by Dom. de Vivaldis, &c_. 1481. Folio. A most
singular volume--in hexameter and pentameter, verses. To every fable is a
wood cut, quite in the ballad style of execution, with a back-ground like
coarse mosaic work. The text is printed in a large clumsy gothic letter.
The present is a sound copy, but not free from stain. Bound in blue
morocco.
ÆSOPUS. Italicè. _Edited by Tuppi_. 1485. Folio. A well known and highly
coveted edition: but copies are very rare, especially when of goodly
dimensions. This is a large and beautiful book; although I observe that the
border, on the right margin of the first leaf, is somewhat cut away. The
graphic art in this volume has a very imposing appearance.
---- Germanicè. _Without Date or Name of Printer_. Folio. This edition is
printed in a fine large open gothic type. There is the usual whole length
cut of Æsop. The other cuts are spirited, after the fashion of those in
Boccacio De Malis Mulier. Illust.--printed by John Zeiner at Ulm in 1473.
The present is a fine, sound copy: in red morocco binding.
ÆSOPUS. Germanicè. _Without Date, &c_. Folio. This impression, which, like
the preceding, is destitute of signatures and catchwords, is printed in a
smaller gothic type. The wood cuts are spirited, with more of shadow. Some
of the initial letters are pretty and curious. Some of the pages (see the
last but fifteen) contain as many as forty-five lines. The present is a
fine, large copy.
---- Hispanicè. _Printed at Burgos._ 1496. Folio. This is a beautiful and
interesting volume, full of wood cuts. The title is within a broad bold
border, thus: "_Libro del asopo famoso fabulador historiado en romace_."
On the reverse is the usual large wood cut of Æsop, but his mouth is
terribly diminished in size. The leaves are numbered in large roman
numerals. A fine clean copy, in blue morocco binding.
And now, my dear friend, let us both breathe a little, by way of cessation
from labour: yourself from reading, and your correspondent from the
exercise of his pen. I own that I am fairly tired ... but in a few days I
shall resume the BOOK THEME with as much ardour as heretofore.
[43] In his meditated Catalogue raisonné of the books PRINTED UPON VELLUM
in the Royal Library. [This Catalogue is now printed, in 8vo. 5 vols.
1822. There are copies on LARGE PAPER. It is a work in all respects
worthy of the high reputation of its author. A _Supplement_ to it--of
books printed UPON VELLUM in _other_ public, and many distinguished
_private_ libraries, appeared in 1824, 8vo. 3 vols.--with two
additional volumes in 1828. These volumes are the joy of the heart of
a thorough bred Bibliographer.]
[44] The measurement is necessarily confined to the leaves--_exclusively_
of the binding.
[45] See the Art. "_Roman de Jason_"
[46] [There are, now, ten known _perfect_ copies of this book, of
which six are in England. M. Renouard, in his recent edition of the
_Annals of the Aldine Press_, vol. i. p. 36, has been copious and
exact.]
[47] [Since bound in blue morocco by Thouvenin.]
[48] [This anecdote, in the preceding Edition of the Tour, was told,
inaccurately, as belonging to the Caxton's edition of the _Recueil
des Hist. de Troye_: see p. 102 ante. I thank M. Crapelet for the
correction.]
[49] _Bibl. Spenceriana_, vol. i. p. 107, &c.
[50] [The finest copy in the world of the second edition, as to amplitude,
is, I believe, that in the Bodleian library at Oxford. A very singular
piece of good fortune has now made it PERFECT. It was procured by
Messrs. Payne and Foss of M. Artaria at Manheim.]
[51] Nine years ago I obtained a fac-simile of this memorandum; and
published an Essay upon the antiquity of the date of the above Bible,
in the _Classical Journal_, vol. iv. p. 471-484. of Mr. J.A. Valpy.
But latterly a more complete fac-simile of it appeared in the
Catalogue of Count M'Carthy's books.
[52] "_Iste liber illuminatus, ligatus & completus est per Henricum
Cremer vicariu ecclesie sancti Stephani Maguntini sub anno dni
Millesimo quatringentesimo quinquagesimo sexto, festo Assumptionis
gloriose virginis Marie. Deo gracias. Alleluja_."
[53] [This copy having one leaf of MS.--but executed with such
extraordinary accuracy as almost to deceive the most experienced
eye--was sold in 1827, by public auction, for 504_l_. and is now
in the collection of Henry Perkins, Esq.]
[54] _Bibl. Spenceriana_; vol. i. p. 85-89.
[55] _Bibl. Spenceriana_; vol. i. p. 103-4; where there is also an
account of the book itself--from the description of Camus. The work is
entitled by Camus, The ALLEGORY OF DEATH.
[56] This subject is briefly noticed in the _Bibliographical Decameron_,
vol. i. 371; and the book itself is somewhat particularly described
there. I think I remember Lord Spencer to have once observed, that
more than a slight hope was held out to him, by the late Duke of
Brunswick, of obtaining this typographical treasure. This was before
the French over-ran Prussia.
[57] See _Bibl. Spenceriana_; vol. iii. p. 129, vol. iv. p. 500.
[58] Vol. iii. p. 484.
[59] [I had said "De Rome"--incorrectly--in the previous edition. "M.
Dibdin poursuit partout d'un trait vengeur le coupable Derome: mais
ici c'est au relieur CHAMOT qu'il doit l'addresser." CRAPELET; vol.
iii. p. 268.]
[60] [The very sound copy of it, upon paper, belonging to the late Sir M.M.
Sykes, Bart. was sold at the sale of his library for 100 guineas.]
[61] That sigh has at length ceased to rend my breast. It will be seen,
from the sequel of this Tour, that a good, sound, perfect copy of it,
now adorns the shelves of the _Spencerion Library_. The VIRGILS
indeed, in that library, are perfectly unequalled throughout Europe.
[62] [There is a fine copy of this very rare edition in the Public Library
at Cambridge.]
[63] [Fine as is this book, it is yet inferior in _altitude_ to the
copy in the Public Library at Cambridge.]
[64] [There was another copy of this edition, free from the foregoing
objections, which had escaped me. This omission frets M. Crapelet
exceedingly; but I can assure him that it was unintentional; and that
I have a far greater pleasure in describing _fine_, than
_ordinary_, copies--be they WHOSE they may.]
[65] [Not so. There was another copy upon vellum, in the library of Count
Melzi, which is now in that of G.H. Standish, Esq. I _know_ that
500 guineas were once offered for this most extraordinary copy, bound
in 3 volumes in foreign coarse vellum.]
[66] Vol. ii. p. 11: or to the _Bibliotheca Spenceriana_; vol. iv. p.
385.
[67] Now in Lord Spencer's Collection.
[68] Vol. i. p. 281-2.
[69] [To the best of my recollection and belief, the finest copy of this
most estimable book, is that in the Library of the Rt. Hon. Thomas
Grenville.]
[70] [The finest copy of this valuable edition, which I ever saw, is that
in the Public Library at Cambridge.]
[71] _See Bibl. Spenceriana_; vol. i. page 272.
[72] [I had called it a UNIQUE copy; but M. Crapelet says, that there was a
second similar copy, offered to the late Eugene Beauharnais.]
[73] [It is the Edition of Verard, of the date of 1504. The copy looks as
if it had neither Printer's name or date, because the last lines of
the colophon have been defaced. See _Cat. des Livr. Iniprim. sur Vèlin
de la Bibl. du Roi_. vol. iii. p. 35. CRAPELET.]
[74] At page 599, &c.
[75] [See _Cat. des Livr. sur Vélin_, vol. iv. No. 236.]
[76] Vol. iii. p. 176.
[77] [Mr. Hibbert's beautiful copy, above referred to, is about to be sold
at the sale of his library, in the ensuing Spring; and is fully
described in the Catalogue of that Library, at p. 414: But the
fac-simile portrait of Francis Sforza, prefixed to the Catalogue,
wants, I suspect, the high finished brilliancy, or force, of the
original.]
[78] [Not so: see the _Introduction to the Classics_, vol. 1. p. 313. edit.
1827 The _only known_ copy of the first volume, UPON VELLUM, is that
in the Library of New College, Oxford.]
[79] See the _Bibliographical Decameron_; vol. iii. p. 165.
[80] [The only ENTIRELY PERFECT copy in Europe, to my knowledge, is that in
the library of the Right Hon. Thomas Grenville.]
_LETTER VI._
CONCLUSION OF THE ACCOUNT OF THE ROYAL LIBRARY. THE LIBRARY OF THE ARSENAL.
My last letter left me on the first floor of the Royal Library. I am now
about to descend, and to take you with me to the ground floor--where, as
you may remember I formerly remarked, are deposited the _Aldine Vellums_
and _Large Papers_, and choice and curious copies from the libraries of
_Grolier, Diane de Poictiers_, and _de Thou_. The banquet is equally
delicious of its kind, although the dishes are of a date somewhat more
remote from the time of Apicius.
Corresponding with the almost interminable suite of book-rooms above, is a
similar suite below stairs: but the general appearance of the latter is
comparatively cold, desolate, and sombre. The light comes in, to the right,
less abundantly; and, in the first two rooms, the garniture of the volumes
is less brilliant and attractive. In short, these first two lower rooms may
be considered rather as the depot for the cataloguing and forwarding of all
modern books recently purchased. Let me now conduct you to the _third room_
in this lower suite, which may probably have a more decided claim upon your
attention. Here are deposited, as I just observed, the VELLUM ALDUSES and
other curious and choice old printed volumes. I will first mention nearly
the whole of the former.
HOMERI OPERA. Gr. _Printed by Aldus. Without Date_. 8vo. 2 vols. A white
and beautiful copy--with large, and genuine margins--printed UPON VELLUM.
In its original binding, with the ornaments tolerably entire:--and what
binding should this be, but that of Henry the Second and Diane de
Poictiers? Let me just notice that this copy measures six inches and a
half, by three inches and six eighths.
EURIPIDIS OPERA. Gr. 1503. 8vo. 2 vols. A fair and desirable copy UPON
VELLUM; but a little objectionable, as being ruled with red lines rather
unskilfully. It is somewhat coarsely bound in red morocco, and preserved in
a case. This vellum treasure is among the desiderata of Earl Spencer's
library; and I sincerely wish his Lordship no worse luck than the
possession of a copy like that before me.[81]
HECUBA, ET IPHIGENIA IN AULIDE. Gr. and Lat. 1507. 8vo. A very rare book,
and quite perfect, as far as it goes. This copy, also UPON VELLUM, is much
taller than the preceding of the entire works of Euripides; but the vellum
is not of so white a tint.
ANTHOLOGIA GRÆCA. Gr. 1503. 8vo. A very fine genuine copy, upon excellent
VELLUM. I suspect this copy to be a little broader, but by no means taller,
than a similar copy in Lord Spencer's collection.
HORATIUS. 1501. 8vo. UPON VELLUM: a good, sound copy; although inferior to
Lord Spencer's.
MARTIALIS. 1502. 8vo. Would you believe it?--here are _two_ copies UPON
VELLUM, and _both_ originally belonged to Grolier. They are differently
illuminated, but the tallest--measuring six inches three eighths, by three
inches six eighths--is the whitest, and the preferable copy,
notwithstanding one may discern the effects of the nibbling of a worm at
the bottom corner. It is, however, a beautiful book, in every respect. The
initial letters are gold. In the other copy there are the arms of Grolier,
with a pretty illumination in the first page of the text. It is also a
sound copy.
LUCRETIUS. 1515. 8vo. This copy, UPON VELLUM, is considered to be unique.
It is fair, sound, and in all respects desirable.
CICERO DE OFFICIIS. _Without Date_. 8vo. This is but a moderate specimen of
the Aldine VELLUM, if it be not a counterfeit--which I suspect.[82]
CICERONIS ORATIONES. 1519. 8vo. UPON VELLUM. Only the first volume, which
however is quite perfect and desirable--measuring six inches and a quarter,
by very nearly four inches. But prepare for an account of a perfect, and
still more magnificent, vellum copy of the Orations of Cicero--when I
introduce you to the _Library of St. Geneviève_.
HIST. AUGUST. SCRIPTORES. 1521. 8vo. 2 vols. A sound and fair copy--of
course UPON VELLUM--but too much cropt in the binding. The foregoing are
all the _Aldine, Greek and Latin Classics_, printed UPON VELLUM, which the
liberal kindness of M. Van Praet enabled me to lay my hands upon. But here
follows another membranaceous gem of the Aldine Family.
PETRARCHA. 1501. 8vo. A beautiful, white copy, measuring six inches and a
half, by three and three quarters. It is, however, somewhat choked in the
binding, (in blue morocco) as too many of Bozerian's performances usually
are.[83] Close to this book is the Giunta reprint of 1515--ALSO UPON
VELLUM: but of a foxy and unpleasing tint. Now for a few LARGE PAPER
ALDUSES--of a variety of forms and of characters. But I must premise that
the ensuing list of those upon vellum, is very far indeed from being
complete.
HORÆ. Gr. 1497. 12mo. A beautiful copy, among the very rarest of books
which have issued from the Aldine press. Here is also _one_ volume of the
Aldine ARISTOTLE, upon _large paper_: and only one. Did the _remaining_
volumes ever so exist? I should presume they did.
BIBLIA GRÆCA. 1518. Folio. Upon _thick paper_. Francis the First's own
copy. A glorious and perhaps matchless copy. Yet it is rebacked, in modern
binding, in a manner ... almost shameful!
PLAUTUS. 1522. Small quarto. A very fine copy; in all appearance large
paper, and formerly belonging to Grolier.
AUSONIUS. 1517. 8vo. Large paper; very fine; and belonging to the same.
VALERIUS MAXIMUS. 1534. 8vo. The same--in _all_ respects.
PRISCIANUS. 1527. 8vo. Every characteristic before mentioned.
SANNAZARII ARCADIA. _Ital_. 1514. 8vo. The same.
---- _De Partu Virginis_. 1533. 8vo. An oblong, large paper Grolier, like
most of the preceding.