TO BE SOLD

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 30, 5 February 1932, Page 14

TO BE SOLD

FAMOUS LIBRARY

The magnificent, library which the Marquess of Lothian, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, inherited iv 1930 i" to be sold shortly in New York says the "Daily Mail.''

Housed at Blickling Hall, Aylsham, Norfolk, the library is one of the iincst private collections iv tho country, and includes what is known .is the "Blickling Homilies," one of the greatest inheritances from Anglo-Saxon times. It was written in 971, probably under the instruction of Archbishop Dunstan. Lord Lothian—formerly Mr. Philip Kcrr—snid to a "Daily Mail" reX'orter: —

"Every farthing the sale of tho library realises will go into tho national exchequer. The whole of my estate is to go, and 40 per cent, of what it realises will have to meet the demands of tho heavy taxation."

"Is there any prospect of the library being retained for the nation?" the marquess was asked.

"If the nation desires it," be replied, "the nation will have to bid fdr it."

The British Museum authorities aro perturbed over Lord Lothian's decision to sell the library abroad. So many ancient manuscripts are comprised in the collection that the early printed books appear almost modern by comparison. Among the most famous manuscripts are a tenth century psalter, the early French romance inscribed "Bornant de la Hose," an illuminated manuscript of Boccaccio's "Dcs Cas dcs Nobles Hommea et Femmes," and two Caxtons. •