Lot 244
The Roxburghe Library - Evans, Robert H.
Rare Books, Maps, Manuscripts & Photographs
Auction: 10 January 2007 at 11:00 GMT
Description
A catalogue of the library of the late John, Duke of Roxburghe... which will be sold by auction. London, 1812, 8vo, contemporary half calf gilt, ink inscription on title, ink notes showing sale total above conditions of sale
Footnote
Provenance: Bookplate of Sir Henry Hay Makdougall.
Note: His Grace's library in St. James's Square comprised upwards of ten thousand volumes, the richest department being early English literature. After the 3rd Duke's death his collection formed the inaugral sale of book auctioneer Robert H. Evans in May 1812. On that occasion, a single book—Boccaccio's Decamerone, printed at Venice in 1471—was sold at £2,260, the highest price known to have ever been given for a book.