was a yet rarer volume, though only a Latin Psalter or Codex, four years younger; there are supposed to be some five copies of the Bible for one of this volume, but the latter is somehow not nearly so "sensational" a volume, and, like many a modest man of merit, had not been put forward. Here is its official declaration :

"Psalmorum codex, Latine cum Hymnis, Oratione Dominica, Symbolis et Notis musicis, folio, printed on vellum, very fine copy, with painted woodcutcapitals, in red morocco extra, borders of gold, gilt edges, by Staggemeier, Moguntiæ, J. Fust et P. Schoifher, 1459. This excessively rare edition is the second book with a date, and contains the Athanasian Creed, printed for the first time. In rarity it equals that printed in 1457, of which only eight copies are known, and of this only seven, all printed on vellum. The Schoeffer Psalter [says Mr. Quaritch in his Catalogue] (first produced in 1457, next in 1459) is the first and almost the only early example of printing in colours, the large initials being impressed, each in at least two colours, from wooden or metal blocks. Of the seven surviving copies of the 1457 edition, most are imperfect, and all but Lord Spencer's are in public libraries. Of the seven or eight (two or three of the ten formerly known having now disappeared) extant copies of the 1459, all are in public libraries except Lord Spencer's and the Thorold copy. Hence it was not surprising that the collectors engaged in keen competition to secure the only copy of the book that is likely ever to come into the market."

There has been much debate as to whether these colours are hand-painted, but the best judges, with the aid of magnifying glasses, &c., have decided that

at this early stage these wonderful printers were equal to this most difficult art of printing in various colours.*

The Codex was in vellum, and displayed five painted capitals with initial letters in red, and also musical notes. The second book in our wide world with a date, mark! and, more interesting still, with the Athanasian Creed thus making its first appearance in print. At the end was the usual printer's signature. There was no expectation of what was to come. Very many were present: there was no excitement. But there were bibliophiles there who knew what was involved.

There it lay-what perhaps is one of the earliest and oldest of printed books! Four hundred and twentyfive years had elapsed since Guttenberg had looked on it. Its history was clear for nearly a hundred years. It had been in Count Macarthy's collection, where it had been been bought by Sir Mark for only £134, a great price: at the latter's sale it had fetched £2, 10s. more. Mr. Quaritch was heard to declare that “in his experience of forty years he had never handled a copy." The second book published with a date. It was indeed one of the "grand old men" of typography. Its grand splendid page was noted and admired-its vellum, its " painted capitals, its red letters, and musical notes." It was proclaimed as being "bound by Steggemeier, in red morocco, and is in an exceptionally fine state."

* Mr. Quaritch, the happy possessor of the latest sold copy now offers it-or did lately-among his numerous other costly treasures, for the sum of £4095! He thus seems to be paying about £150 a year-that is, loss of interest on the sum laid out -for the custody of the treasure; just as the late Lord Dudley, who secured a famous pair of Sèvres jars for £10,000, was paying £500 a year for the pleasure of gazing on them.

Again the same graphic enthusiast describes the scene. "It was put up with a brief eulogy from the auctioneer, Mr. Hodge, at £500, and the biddings steadily advanced by fifties to over £2000, there being only three competitors in the field, Mr. Snowden A. Clerke, Mr. Quaritch, and Mr. Ellis (the Bond Street bookseller), who, however, soon far distanced the commission, and brought the biddings to over £3000, while the audience looked on in dead silence, wondering if it could possibly beat the £3900 of the Mazarin Bible. To the astonishment of every one, this was soon not only reached, but surpassed by more than £1000, Mr. Ellis gallantly bidding £4900, Mr. Quaritch immediately topping it with £4950, at which, after calling this enormous price three times, Mr. Hodge raised his hammer for the last time, and sealed the purchase of the famous Codex to Mr. Quaritch amidst the loudest applause ever heard in the room.

There is yet another of this primeval company-known as the "CATHOLICON" of Johan Balbi de Janua-which is considered to be the fourth book printed with a date, two copies of which rarity have made their appearance recently. This distinguished work, “The Catholicon, was printed and completed in the gracious (alma) city of Mayence, of the glorious German nation, in the year of the incarnation of our Lord, 1460." This has been styled by an enthusiast, Lambinet, "souscription sublime."

The date and place, says an enthusiastic auctioneer, Evans of Pall Mall, are sufficient to excite the curiosity of the collectors of rare and ancient productions of the press. It is allowed by the most eminent bibliographers that this is one of the very few works printed by Gutenberg. It is interesting, too, as one

of the works of his new press, after Fust had seized on his presses and established, as Mr. Quaritch says, "the second printing-office of the world."

Up to the year 1813 not three copies had been seen in England for fifty years. The paper is of surprising strength and beauty, making us acknowledge how little has been gained, or rather how much has been lost, in modern manufacture of this article, by having recourse to what is called chemical improvements. Mr. Stanley Alchorne, of the Mint, possessed a copy-sold in 1813 for £58. Mr. Quaritch, some seventy years later, was offering "a superb copy in old calf gilt, with the Royal Arms of Bavaria stamped in gold on the side," for £250; while at Sir Mark Sykes's sale, about fifty years ago, it Strange to say, within the last

brought but £50.

have appeared.

four years no less than two copies of this rare book This, of the Syston Park sale, brought £400; the second, at the Woodhull sale -though boasting "painted capitals by Roger Payne"-fetched but £310. curious caprice in these prices.

and bound

There is a

ANY a "gentle" or unkindly reader, while feeling due respect for these antique books, has associated them with something musty and dusty, something more curious than beautifulmagis admirandum quam imitandum. A genuine old ecclesiastical library, where all the old calf volumes are grown rusted and mouldy, with the rows of vellum-bound things, mainly theological, their names and titles written in large characters on their backs, offers but a cheerless spectacle at best. But there are few who have seen and handled the splendid productions of the first presses. To the general they are caviare. Fewer will have seen them when enshrined in some great library, like that of Althorpe, richly bound, waited on by guardians and menials, and sumptuously treated. But even under less favourable conditions, it is astonishing what splendid things these works are perfect works of art, triumphs of unassisted genius, at a time when everything had to be devised. We look at them with wonder and admiration, as we would at some graceful and elegant memorial in some old