Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge (London)

(25.5 cm), iv, 198 (2) pp., 25 colour plates (for lots 3, 64, 109, 117, 118, 134, 451, 474, 522, 524, 554, 560, 648, 651, 667, 695, 712, 734, 742, 756, 772, 787, 880, 958, 1002). 1031 lots. Contemporary linen-backed boards (original printed yellow wrappers bound in). - The magnificent Amherst Library of Didlington Hall – seventeen Caxtons, a Gutenberg Bible, the 1460 Catholicon, two Grolier bindings, etc. – had been consigned to Quaritch in September 1906 for sale en bloc, and a few months later a “Hand-list” of the books by Seymour de Ricci was circulated. When after a year no buyer emerged, Lord Amherst placed his collections in the hands of Sotheby’s. On the eve of the first session, the group of Caxtons was sold by Sotheby’s to J. Pierpont Morgan. The sales of 1908-1909 realised £32,592 (not including the Caxtons, reputedly sold for £25,000). Subsequent sales were held on 12 December 1911 (159 lots), 17 January 1921 (lots 529-657), and 14 November 1921 (1730 lots). ¶ Priced in pencil with buyers’ names (first and second days only).