Parke-Bernet Galleries (New York)

(26.5 cm), (10) 131 (3) pp., illustrations. 419 lots. Publisher’s printed wrappers. - The collection of the Wall Street banker Robert Walsingham Martin, “probably the most outstanding library to be dispersed at auction in this country since the sale of the books of the late Lucius Wilmerding, in 1950-1951” (introduction by Robert F. Metzdorf to the sale catalogue). Among the treasures were an eleventh century Bible from Lambach Abbey (ex-Sotheby’s, 11 November 1929, lot 391; sold for $12,000, subsequently through the hands of H.P. Kraus, Peter Ludwig, the Getty Museum, and Jörn Günther) and the Second, Third and Fourth Shakespeare folios (lots 406-407). The collector’s unpublished catalogue of his “Davenport Library” (so-christened after Martin’s residence in New Rochelle, NY), together with purchase ledgers, and appraisals, are in the Grolier Club Library (Martin was a member from 1930-1961). ¶ Neatly priced in ink. Very good copy.