"Reader,
"It hath not been usual here in England to make Sale of Books by way of Auction or who will give most for them: But it having been practised in other countreys to the advantage both of buyers and sellers, it was therefore conceived (for the encouragement of learning) to publish the sale of these books this manner of way; and it is hoped that this will not be unacceptable to schollers: and therefore, methought it convenient to give an advertisement concerning the manner of proceeding therein. First, That having this catalogue of the books, and their editions, under their several heads and numbers, it will be more easie for any person of quality, gentleman, or others, to depute any one to buy such books for them as they shall desire, if their occasions will not permit them to be present at the auction themselves." The second clause is the usual one about differences arising. The third, about discovering the imperfections of the copies before they are taken away. The fourth, that the buyers are to pay for their purchases within one month after the termination of the auction. The fifth, that the sale is to begin "punctually at 9 o'clock in the morning, and two in the afternoon; and this to continue daily until all the books be sold; wherefore it is desired that the gentlemen, or those deputed by them, may be there precisely at the hours appointed, lest they should miss the opportunity of buying those books which either themselves or their friends desire." As this is the earliest auction catalogue which I have chanced to meet with, the present reader may probably be pleased with the following specimens, selected almost at random of the prices which were given for books at a public sale, in the year 1676.
In Folio. Philologists.
| s. | d. | |
| Pet. Heylyn's Cosmographie, Lond. 1652. | 14 | 0 |
| Io. Stow's Annals, or Chronicles of England, &c. ibid., 1631. | 15 | 0 |
| Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy, Oxon, 1638. | 6 | 0 |
| Geo. Withers, his Emblems; illustrated with brass figures, 1635. | 8 | 6 |
| Os. Gabelhower's book called the Dutch Physic, Dort, 1579. | 3 | 0 |
p. 12.
In Quarto. Philologie.
| The Royal Passage of her Majesty, from the tower to Whitehall, Lond., 1604. The Vision of the Goddesses, a mask by the Queen and her Ladies, 1604. King James his Entertainment through the city of London, ibid. A particular Entertainment of the Queen and Prince, 1608. The magnificent Entertainment of King James, Queen Anne, and Prince Henry Frederick, 1604. Her Majesties speech to both Houses of Parliament, 1604. Vox Cœli, or News from Heaven, 1624. An experimental Discovery of the Spanish Practises, 1623. Tho. Scotts aphorisms of State, or secret articles for the re-edifying the Romish Church, 1624. The Tongue Combat between two English Souldiers, 1621. Votivæ Angliæ, or the Desires and Wishes of England, 1624. A book of Fishing, with hook and line, and other instruments, 1600. | s. 5 | d. 0 |
p. 63.
Now a-days, the last article alone would pr duce—shall I say nine times the sum of the whole? But once more:
In Octavo. Philologists.