A Valuable Library

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 31, 30 August 1892, Page 2

A Valuable Library

The finest private library in the world has recently changed hands in England. It was the property of Earl Spencer, and contained over 50,000 volumes, many of which were exceptionally rare and valuable, and some of them were un. doubtedly worth their weight in gold. For instance, a " Boccaccio " originally sold to Lord Blandford for £2260, ultimately found its way to the hands of ihe Spenoer family for £750. There are nine books printed before the invention of movable metal types, while another volume is dated 1423. A Rsalter printed in 1457 is profusely illustrated, a companion volume to it, was sold a few years ago for £5000. There are numerous fifteenth century classical works in the collection, but what makes this library of such exceptional interest, are the number of original works printed by Caxton. There are but ninety nine of Caxton's original works in existence, and the Althorpe Library contains fifty-seven of this number, thirty-one being in a perfect state, and the collection contains three copies of which no duplicates are to be found elsewhere. Fortunately, this valuable library has not gone out of the country, as the widow of Mr Peter Eylands, of Manchester,

became the successful purchaser, and presented the entire collection as a free gift to the city where her husband made his great wealth.