KN 4c lWhw E9 CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY THIS BOOK IS ONE OF A COLLECTION MADE BY BENNO LOEWY 1854-1919 AND BEQUEATHED TO CORNELL UNIVERSITY Z8474 D63 ne " Universi,y Library Des «iXiiSi7iL?Lf!,i ,ew b00ks fr °ni Charles olin 3 1924 029 626 441 5* HI Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://archive.org/details/cu31924029626441 Some of Charles Lamb's Books For Sale by DODD, MEAD 6f COMPANY NEW YORK f Facsimile of inscription in Charles Lamb's autograph on the outside of a volume from his library. , ' PRICE, TWENir-FWE CENTS DESCRIPTIONS OF A FEW BOOKS FROM CHARLES LAMB'S LIBRARY AND OF SOME PRESENTATION COPIES AND FIRST EDITIONS OF HIS RARER BOOKS With Collations and Notes NEW YORK DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY 149-151 FIFTH AVENUE Printed by The University Press, Cambridge, U. S. A. NOTICE. Since this catalogue was put in type the three books from Lamb's library, as well as the " Mr. H." and one set of the " Essays of Elia," have been sold. The descriptions have, however, been allowed to stand. On the other hand, a copy of the " Tales from Shakespear," first edition, in the original boards, uncut, extremely rare in this condition, has been secured too late to be inserted in its place in the list. DODD, MEAD & COMPANY. Printed bt Thx Un,v„ SI tv P« SS) GumiBc, V . S. A. PREFACE '-pHIS little catalogue of books, which will appeal especially to lovers of the " Gentle * Elia" and to collectors of first editions of his works, is printed in a limited number of only 500 copies. The first editions of Lamb's books which we describe are mostly uncut, or in the original bindings, and are rarely met with in such fine con- dition. As much cannot be said of the books from his library, but they will, at least, have the charm of personal association with their former owner. It is doubtful if an opportunity to secure such interesting volumes from his library will ever occur again. Charles Lamb's own copy of the hitherto unidentified " book about humanity " by his brother John is an item of more than ordinary interest. The reproductions of titlepages are reduced in size, except where otherwise indicated. DODD, MEAD & COMPANY. BOOKS FROM CHARLES LAMB'S LIBRARY Henry Crabb Robinson said, in 1824, of Lamb's Library, " He has the finest col- lection of shabby books I ever saw ; such a number of first-rate works in very bad condition is, I think, nowhere to be found." And most of the volumes which have come down to us agree with his description. The first of the volumes we have to describe consists of a series of pamphlets collected by Lamb himself and bound in one volume, lettered " Tracts." On the inside of the front cover are the contents of the volume, in Charles Lamb's autograph, as here reproduced: — DESCRIPTION OF A FEW BOOKS The volume now contains five tracts, all of interest on account of their association with Charles Lamb, as follows : — 1. Antonio: | A Tragedy | in | Five Acts. | By William Godwin. | London: | Printed by Wilks and Taylor, Chancery Lane, | For G. G. and J. Robinson, Paternoster Row. | 1800. Lamb was closely associated with this Tragedy, which was played one night only, December 13, 1800. The Epilogue was by Lamb, but it does not seem to have been printed with the play. The next day, December 14, Lamb wrote to Godwin : " I will barely add, as you are on the very point of printing, that in my opinion neither pro- logue nor epilogue should accompany the play. It can only serve to remind your readers of its fate. Both suppose an audience, and, that jest being gone, must convert into burlesque." His suggestion regarding the epilogue was, apparently, carried out, as it does not seem to have been printed. Nor has it a prologue. 2. Remorse. | A Tragedy, | In Five Acts. | By S. T. Coleridge. | [Quotation of five lines from the play itself.] | Third Edition. | London: | Printed for W. Pople, 67, Chancery Lane. | 1813. | Price Three Shillings. For this play Lamb also wrote the prologue, which was spoken by Mr. Carr. This was Coleridge's " Osario," written in 1 797, but never printed, now issued with a new title and, in part, at least, re-written. It sold rapidly at first, and Coleridge, before it had been published a month, said that he would make £400 by it, but the next year Lamb wrote, apparently in reply to an inquiry from Coleridge : — " There is a stock of ' Remorse ' on hand — enough as Pople conjectures, for seven years' consumption ; judging from experience of the last two years. Methinks it makes for the benefit of sound literature, that the best books do not always go off best. Inquire in seven years' time for the Rohebys and the Laras, and where shall they be found ? — fluttering fragmentally in some thread-paper ; whereas thy IVallenstein and thy Remorse are safe on Longman's or Pople's shelves, as in some Bodleian ; there they shall remain ; no need of a chain to hold them fast — perhaps for ages — tall copies," etc. 3. Antiquity, | A Farce, | In Two Acts. | [Eight lines of quotations from three authors.] | Lon- don: I Printed by Henry Reynell, No. 21, Piccadilly. | For C. Chappie, 66, Pall Mall. | 1808. This is by Lamb's close friend, Barron Field, and was his first book. It is dedi- cated to Leigh Hunt, but without mentioning his name. The dedication and the adver- tisements are dated from the Inner Temple, where Lamb was then also living. There are few letters extant for this period, but we surmise that Lamb read the manuscript and perhaps made suggestions to Field about his first play. In later years he wrote charm- ing letters to Field, who, in 1816, went to Australia and was Judge of the Supreme Court at Sidney, New South Wales, from 1816 to 1824. There, in 1819, he printed, FROM CHARLES LAMB'S LIBRARY for private distribution, " First Fruits of Australian Poetry," the first volume of poetry to be printed in Australia. This farce, then, should be a book of extreme interest to the antipodean collector. 4. Speech | of the | Right Hon. W. Windham, | in the | House of Commons, | June 13, 1809, | on | Lord Erskine's Bill | for the more effectual prevention | of cruelty towards animals. | London : | Printed for J. Budd, Pail-Mall. | 1810. This is of interest to the Lamb collector only in connection with the next. Lord Erskine's bill for the prevention of cruelty to animals was the first effort at legislation in that direction. 5. A Letter to the Right Hon. William Windham, etc., 1810. (Titlepage reproduced on followT ing page.) This is that little tract on " Humanity " by John Lamb, Charles's brother, hereto- fore unidentified. In a letter to Henry Crabb Robinson, undated, but written in 1810, Lamb said : — " My brother, whom you have met at my rooms (a plump good-looking man of seven-and-forty) has written a book about humanity, which I transmit to you herewith. Wilson, the publisher, has put it into his head that you can get it reviewed for him. I dare say it is not in the scope of your review ; but if you could put it in any likely train, he would rejoice. For alas ! our boasted humanity partakes of vanity. As it is, he teazes me to death with choosing to suppose that I could get it into all the reviews at a moment's notice. I ! ! who have been set up as a mark for them to throw at, and would willingly consign them all to Megasra's snaky locks. But here 's the book, and don't show it to Mrs. Collier, for I remember she makes excellent eel soup, and the leading points of the book are directed against that very process." Both Canon Ainger and William Carew Hazlitt, perhaps the two best informed of all students of Lamb and his writings, declare that this curious book is unidentified. The tract consists of 38 pages, including titlepage. Although Lamb attempted to obliterate by his scrawls the titles of the two works which have been torn out, we have been able to decipher both of them. The first was "On Christ's Hospital: from Gent. Mag. June I813 & Supplement. By C. L." and the second was " Confessions of a Drunkard, from the Philanthropic Mag. by C. L." On the outside of the volume, in Lamb's handwriting, is written "the remainder of Christs hospital. Return the volume when done with. C. L. For L. Hunt, Esq." This inscription is reproduced on the cover of this catalogue. Hunt, like Lamb, had been a student at Christ's Hospital. Lamb's first printed account of the school appeared in the Gentlemen's Magazine for June, I813, and in a supplement published at the end of that year. Both were included in this volume. May we surmise that Hunt had read the portion published in the number for June, and that Lamb loaned this volume for him to read " the remainder [of his account] of Christs A LETTER TO THE RIGHT HON. WILLIAM WINDHAM, 0« BIS OPPOSITION TO JLOBB EESMNE'S BILL, POB TBB PREVENTION Of CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. JUnSan: Printed by H. Tope, Tower Hill, For Maxwell and Wilson, 17, Skinner Street, Snow Hilt Price Two Shillings, 1810. _ __ FROM CHARLES LAMB'S LIBRARY hospital ? " The " Confessions of a Drunkard " is said, by the authorities, to have been first printed in the volume " Some Enquiries into the Effects of Fermented Liquors, by a Water Drinker," edited by Basil Montague and published in 1814- From this inscription, however, we know that it appeared in the Philanthropic Magazine, and probably before that date. It was reprinted, with additions, in the London Magazine for August, 1822, and signed " Elia." In writing "Anonymous " over his initials, Lamb evidently wished to hide the authorship. Were these two torn out to send to the printer — one in 1818 and the other in 1822 ? As Hunt came out of prison in February, 1815, it was probably after that date and before the date of publication of the works in 1818 that this volume was loaned to him. Five tracts in one volume, 8vo, old half sheep, repaired at the joints, in case. Price, $450.00. The second book from Lamb's library before us has the title " Fragmenta Aurea. | A Collection of all | the | Incomparable Peeces, | written By Sir John Svckling. | And published by a Friend to perpetuate | his memory. | Printed by his owne Copies. | London, Printed for Humphrey Moseley, and are to be | sold at his shop, at the Signe of the Prin- | ces Armes in St. Pauls Churchyard. | MDCXLVI." On the inside of the front cover, Lamb has copied a long extract from Aubrey regarding Suckling. It begins : — " He (Suckling) was the greatest gallant of his time, and the greatest gamester, both for bowling & cards, so that no shop keeper would trust him for 6d, as to-day for instance he might by winning be worth ^200, the next day he might not be worth half so much, or perhaps be sometimes minus nihilo. Sir W. (Davenant) who was his intimate friend, & loved him entirely, would say that Sir J. when he was at his lowest ebb in gaming, I mean when unfortunate, then would make himself most glorious in apparel, & said that it exalted his spirits, & that he had then best luck when he was most gallant, & his spirits were highest." There are also occasional notes and corrections in the margins in Lamb's autograph. This is the first edition of the " Fragmenta Aurea." It lacks the portrait, by Mar- shall, and the titlepage to " The Goblins " has a piece torn from the inner margin ; other- wise, it is a large and very good copy. We have thought it best to leave the book in the condition it was in when Lamb owned it, but the portrait and defective titlepage can be supplied from another copy in stock, if desired. Small 8vo, old sheep, back repaired, in case. Price, $400.00. JO DESCRIPTION OF A FEW BOOKS Our third book has the title " The | Life | of | John Buncle, Esq ; | containing | Various Observations and Reflections, | Made in several Parts of the World ; | and j Many extraordinary Relations. | [Quotation] | London: | Printed for J. Noon, at the White Hart in | Cheapside, near the Poultry. | MDCCLVI." On June 24, 1797, Lamb wrote to Coleridge, as follows: — " I have been reading a most curious romance-like work called the ' Life of John Buncle, Esq.' 'T is very interesting, and an extraordinary compound of all manner of subjects, from the depth of the ludicrous to the heights of sublime religious truth. There is much abstruse science in it above my cut, and an infinite fund of pleasantry. John Buncle is a famous fine man, formed in Nature's most eccen- tric hour." This book is, no doubt, the identical volume referred to in that letter. It contains on the inside of the front cover a long, critical note in Coleridge's autograph. Though this book seems to be complete in itself, a second volume was published afterwards, as announced in the leaf of advertisements at the end. 8vo, old calf, joints repaired, in case. Price, $90.00. FIRST EDITIONS OF SOME OF LAMB'S RARER BOOKS. I. Poems on Various Subjects. By S. T. Coleridge. J 796. This first edition of Coleridge's Poems con- tains four " Effusions " by Charles Lamb, signed " C. L." They were written when about twenty years of age, and are his first appearance in print, at least in book form. The little volume must have been published in April, as Cottle, in his Reminiscences, transcribes an inscription in his copy, dated April 15, 1796. William Carew Hazlitt in his latest book on the Lambs says that Charles Lamb's first appearance in type was in the folio volume, " Poems on the Death of Pris- cilla Farmer," by Charles Lloyd, printed in Bris- tol by N. POEMS, S. T. COLERIDGE, second edition: TO WHICH ABB BOW ASDBD POEMS By CHARLES LAMB, AND CHARLES LLOYD. Duplet ooVij vinculum, et amiciiia* et limiliun junftarumque Camcrnarum; quod u tin us neque mora solvat, neque temporij lougmquitai ' Crescoll. Efht. adCer, Utenkov, et Plot. Lvx.Tatt. PRINTED BY ft. BIGGS, FOB 3, COTTLE, BRISTOL, AND MESSRS. ROBINSONS, LONDON. 1797- POEMS VARIOUS SUBJECTS, $. T. COLERIDGE, LATE OP JESUS COLLECE, CAMBRIDGE Felix curarum, cui non Heliconia cordt Scrta, nee imbelles Parnafli c vcrtice Taurus ! Sed viget ingenium, et magnos accinctiis In ufua Fert animus quafcuoquc vices.— Noa triftia vitjc Solamur cantu. Stat.Silv. LibUr, 4. LONDON; HUNTED rOR O* C. AND J. HOBThsONS, AND J.COTTLS, BOOKIELLIR, BRISTOL* 1796. Biggs the same year. This is, however, probably an error, as Lloyd first came to live with Coleridge at Bristol on September 21 or 22, 1 796. Lamb's verses, " The Grandame," were sent to Coleridge in a letter dated June 13 , and it was from " a friend of the author's," undoubt- edly Coleridge, that Lloyd received permission to print it with his own. Blue morocco, gilt edges. Price, $22.50. Small 8vo. Collation : A to N, each 8 11. Consisting of: half title, p. [i] ; blank, p. [ii] ; title, p. [iii] ; blank, p. [iv] ; "Preface," pp. [v]-xi; blank, p. [xii]; "Contents," pp. [xiii]-xvi; text and " Notes," pp. [1]-188 ; " Errata," p. [189] ; blank, p. [190] ; Advertisement, " Published by the same Author," p. [191] ; blank, p. [192]. J2 DESCRIPTION OF A FEW BOOKS II. Poems by S. T. Coleridge. Second Edition. \ 797. In the Preface Coleridge says that his " friend and old school -fellow, Charles Lamb," has " communicated " for insertion in this edition " a complete collection of all his Poems." These comprise eight Sonnets, and six pieces classed as " Fragments," besides another, " A Vision of Repentance," included in the Supplement. His portion of the volume is dedicated " to Mary Ann Lamb, the author's best friend and sister." On November 8, 1 796, Lamb, still under the influence of that great blow, the death of his mother, wrote to Coleridge : — " Take my Sonnets, once for all ; and do not propose any re-amendments, or mention them again in any shape to me, I charge you. I blush that my mind can consider them as things of any worth. And pray admit or reject these fragments as you like or dislike them, without ceremony. Call 'em Sketches, Frag- ments, or what you will ; but do not entitle any of my things Love Sonnets, as I told you to call 'em." A TALE ROSAMUND GRAY Old Blind Margaret. BY CHARLES LAMB. LONDON, PRINTED FOR LEE AND HURST. "0-3»» PATM-NOSTER ROW, I7 5 8. Blue morocco, extra, gilt edges. Price, $37.50. Small 8vo. Collation : 2 11,; a and A to R, each 8 11.; S, 3 11. Consisting of: title, p. [i]; blank, p. [iij ; half title, " Poems by S. T. Col- eridge," p. [iii] ; blank, p. [iv] ; " Contents," pp. [v]-vi ; " Dedication," in verse, dated May 26, 1797, pp. [vii]-xii; "Preface to the First Edition" pp. [xiii]-xvi; " Preface to the Second Edition," pp. [xvii]-xx; text, etc., pp. [l]-278. HI. A Tale of Rosamund Gray and Old Blind Margaret. 1798. The first book of which Charles Lamb was the sole author and his first printed prose work. The book seems to have taken its title from a poem in the 1795 volume of "Poems" by Lamb's friend, Charles Lloyd (described on another page of this catalogue). It was well received, and on the 20th of May, 1799, Lamb wrote to Southey : " Rosa- mund sells well in London, malgre the non-reviewal of it." But the Monthly Review noticed it, in August, 1800, say- ing: "Mr. Lamb has here proved him- FROM CHARLES LAMB'S LIBRARY 13 self skilful in touching the nicest feelings of the heart and in affording great pleasure to the imagination," etc. Needless to say, the book is extremely rare. Even in 1815 Talfourd says that he was only able to find a copy " after earnest search in all the book stalls within the scope of my walk." But he afterwards found one " exhibiting proper marks of due appreciation in the store of a little circulating library near Holborn." Blue levant morocco, super-extra, sides and back tooled, double of orange levant morocco, inlaid with blue morocco and tooled with lines, dots, and sprays, watered- silk fly-leaves, edges entirely uncut. Price, $465-00. Small 8vo. Collation: A to H, each 8 11.; 1,3 II. Consisting of: title, p [l]; blank, p. [2]; Dedication, p. [3] ; blank, p. [4] ; text, pp. [5]-i34. IV. John Woodvil. A Tragedy. J 802. Lamb's first play, having preceded " Mr. H. have been "extracted from a common-place book which belonged to Robert Burton, the famous author of 'The Anatomy of Melan- choly.' " They are, however, by Lamb him- self, the idea having been suggested to him by the Ireland Shakespeare Forgeries. Half brown morocco. Price, $25.00. Small 8vo. Collation : A, 2 II. ; B to I, each 8 II. Consisting of: title, p. [i]j blank, p. [ii]; blank, p. [Hi]; "Characters" p. [iv]; text, pp. [1]-128. V. Tales from Shakespear. 1807. These tales were written jointly by Charles Lamb and his sister Mary. On May 10, 1806, he wrote to Manning, in China: — " She is doing for Godwin's bookseller twenty of Shakespeare's plays, to be made into children's tales. Six are already done by her, to wit, 'The Tempest,' ' Winter's Tale,' ' Midsummer Night Dream,' ' Much Ado,' 'Two Gentlemen of Verona,' and 'Cymbeline:' and 'The Merchant of Venice' is in forwardness. I have done ' Othello ' and ' Macbeth,' and mean to do all the tragedies. I think it will be popular among the little sixty guineas. Mary has done them capitally, I think you The "Fragments" were said to JOMJV WOOBVIL A TRAGEDY. IT C. LAMB. •TO WBICS m IDBSfi, FRAGMENTS OF BURTON, TBI A0TH0B Or TBS AVATOMY Ot MELAKCBOLY.' KonBont VMBTIBITT. M.OMMBB, CttTHIBC-llBI j tor o. and;, rohnson, patsrnoster-row. 1802. people, besides money. It 's to bring in d think." 14 DESCRIPTION OF A FEW BOOKS TALES FROM And again, on January 29, 1807, he wrote to Wordsworth when sending him a copy of the book : — " I am answerable for ' Lear,' ' Macbeth,' 'Timon,' 'Romeo,' 'Hamlet,' 'Othello,' for occasionally a tail-piece or correction in gram- mar, for none of the cuts and all of the spelling. The rest is my sister's. We think 'Pericles' of hers the best, and 'Othello' of mine; but I hope all have some good. 'As you Like it' we like best. So much, only begging you to tear out the cuts, and give them to Johnny as Mrs. Godwin's fancy.'' These "cuts," engraved by William Blake from drawings by Mulready, are considered now, by collectors, to give an added charm to the books. William Godwin's wife was the head of the firm,, M. J. Godwin & Co., who published several of Lamb's books. 2 vols., original sheep. Price, $110.00. 2 vols., i2mo. Collation : Vol. I. A, 6 II. ; B to K, each 12 11.; L, 10 11.; and 10 plates. Consisting of: title, p. [i]; blank, p. [ii]; "Preface," pp. [iii]-ix; blank, p. [x]; "Con- tents," p. [xi]; blank, p. [xii]; text, pp. [1]- 235 ; imprint, " T. Davison, Printer, Whitefriars." p. [236]. The 10 plates, separately printed, in- serted facing titlepage and pp. 22,43', 63, 86,116, 140, 164, 188, 215. Vol. II. 2 II.; A,2ll.; B to L, each 12 II.; M, 10 II.; and 10 plates. Consisting of: title, p. [i]; imprint, " Printed by T. Davison, White- friars," p. [ii]; "Contents" p. [in]; blank, p. [iv] ; text, pp. [l]-26l ; advertisements, pp. [262]-[264]. 10 plates, separately printed, inserted facing titlepage and pp. 24, 44, 70, 97, 121, 145, 177, 206, 231. FOR THE USE OF YOUNG PERSONS. By CHARLES LAMB. EMBEllJSmD WTTS C0PPER,PUIZ8i IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL.1 LONDON:. MtlHTED J0».TH0M« BOBGlIXJ, AT TK»- JDVCRItS Ih. • JURY, KAKWAY-STMZT (OPPOSITE »Oao-3 l)»RE>. OXfORO-STRUT; AH» TO Bfc Ut P Alb . 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