Sale of the Famous Heber Library.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 31 July 1914, Page 7

Sale of the Famous Heber Library.

One of the greatest library sales on record commenced in London on December 1, 1834, when the great collection of books belonging to the late Richard Heber, who had died the previous year, were sold by

auction

The owner, although a man o/ vast learning, was really a bibliomaniac, and his ponderous library was gathered together for the pleasure .of book-collecting. Richard Heber had inherited large properties; in Yorkshire and Shropshire ; but he cared little for country pursuits. The properties, however, brought a large^ income, which permitted hiin_ to enjoy to the full his owti peculiar pleasure.

He attended all the large book sales, and frequently made excursions to the Continent, making large purchases. When absent, he employed an agent to act on his behalf. ?Hs collection of Old English literature was unprecedented, while his library consisted of more books of Latin, Greek, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese than had ever been formed by one person. His large house in Shropshire was given o"-er entirely tp the storage of books, while the town house, where he died, v. yas filled, every conceivable space being occupied. He also rented rooms at Oxford, Paris, and Ij7T.ssels for housing part of his collection. When he died there was much speculation as to what provision he had made about the books ; but, curiously, his library was not mentioned in his will. The sales were conducted by Mr. Evans and othet book auctioneers, and occupied two hundred days, extending over a period of more than two years, and realised .£56,774. Samuel Allibone, the celebrated bibliographer, estimated Heber's collection in. England and abroad at 4-46,820 volumes, and these were made up into no less than 52,672, lots. It was said, however, that his executors were unaware of all the foreign towns whereat he had books stored.