betically, the separate publications preceding the collected works. Different editions of the same book are arranged according to date of publication. The autographs are, of course, arranged alphabetically by authors. The date given under each lot is that of the first day of the sale. The full period covered by the sale, as well as some note as to its character, may be found by referring to the chronological list of sales following this Preface. The number in parentheses is the original lot number in the sale catalogue. Prices are for the lot, not the price per volume, as the books are sold in the auction room. The abbreviations used in describing the autographs are familiar to all collectors. A. L. S. means Autograph Letter Signed; A. N. S. means Autograph Note Signed; L. S. means Letter Signed, the signature only being autograph; D. S. means Document Signed; M. O. C. means Member of Old (Continental) Congress. Three sales which took place in Chicago, and one at the American Art Galleries, in New York, are included in this volume. Neither of the preceding volumes included sales at these places. If these four sales are deducted from our total of 110, we have 106, the precise number of sales recorded in the volume for 1896. Although the number of sales in the two years are identical, those of the present volume are bibliographically of much greater importance. At least three sales, those of the Sewall, Bierstadt, and Frederickson libraries, were more important than any sales of the preceding year. The theological library of the late William R. Williams was the largest library dispersed during the year, the two catalogues aggregating 6335 lots. This was, no doubt, one of the best private theological libraries in the country. The books brought absurdly low prices, showing either that there are no collectors of theology, or that they have no available funds with which to make purchases. A collection of Americana, apparently a lot of books brought together from various sources, was sold in Philadelphia on October 21st. It included a number of interesting pieces, but few of firstrate importance. The library of the late Henry F. Sewall was sold by Bangs, in November, December, and January, 4240 lots being described in three catalogues. It was a large collection, including an important array of titles in early English books, editions of the classics, and books of engravings by early masters. Many were imperfect, and others in poor condition, and, in most cases, the prices realized are slight guide to the real value of desirable copies of the books. The extra illustrated volumes were especially remarkable for the high quality of the inserted engravings. Few, if any, sold for sufficient to cover the cost of the extra illustrations. The highest price of the year was realized on December 2, at a sale at Libbie's. This was $1250.00, which sum was paid for one of the three known copies of an edition of the "Book of Common Prayer," printed in London in 1788. Benjamin Franklin wrote the preface and abridged some portions, which fact alone gave it interest. The value of the copy was greatly added to by the autograph and ownership interest connected with it. The price was probably a surprise to many, to no one more so than to the owner. The library of Richard Riker, sold by Bangs on December 8 and 9, included a complete set of the publications of the Grolier Club. These books seem to hold their own, notwithstanding that a comparatively large number have been put upon the market. The library of William Matthews, the bookbinder, was sold by Bangs, February 10 and 11. The books, for the most part, brought high prices, especially a few choice items of Americana and books bound by Mr. Matthews. His copy of the Grolier Club edition of Irving's Knickerbocker's New York, elaborately bound by himself, a specimen of which he was especially proud, sold for $550.00, being bought by his son. The library of Edward Hale Bierstadt, Treasurer of the Grolier Club, was disposed of by Bangs in April. The catalogue, which was printed at the De Vinne Press, was in two parts. The collection comprised about 3500 volumes, including a choice collection of Early English Poetry and Drama and long series of first editions of modern authors, English and American. The books were, for the most part, in fine condition, and good prices were realized. The collection of first editions of American authors, brought together by Mr. Christian P. Roos, was sold by Libbie, in April. The collection was very extensive, but the rarest books of the greater authors were conspicuous by their absence. Mr. Roos had, it is said, parted with some of his best pieces at private sale. The library of the late Charles W. Frederickson, long known in auction rooms as 66 Fred," was dispersed by Bangs in May. He had for many years been an omnivorous collector of the books and autographs of Percy Bysshe Shelley, and material relating to the poet, and the collection in this line was one of the finest in the world. The first editions, which were mostly in first-class con dition, brought high prices, but the autographs, compared with ruling London quotations, went low. The most notable book was a copy of the first edition of "Queen Mab," with autograph inscription, presenting the volume to Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin. This sold for $615.00. It was from the Ives sale, where it brought only $190.00, no mention then having been made in the catalogue of its autograph interest. The later editions of "Queen Mab," of which there was a long series, as well as most of the Shelleyana, sold for extremely low prices. Such books interest few collectors. Aside from the Shelleys there were a number of other books of more than ordinary importance, including first editions of Keats, Lamb, Byron, etc., some books from the library of Charles Lamb, with manuscript notes by him or by S. T. Coleridge, and a collection of Shakespeariana. October, 1897. L. S. L. CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF SALES REPORTED IN THIS VOLUME. September 23, 24, and 25, 1896. New York by Bangs & Co. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in September 24, 1896. Select Private Library, as well as a small Law Library. Sold in Philadelphia by Stan. V. Henkels. September 28 and 29, 1896. A Library of General Literature and Medicine. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. October 1 and 2, 1896. A Library of Miscellaneous English Literature, etc. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. October 5, 1896. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in Cincinnati by October 6 and 7, 1896. A Collection of First Editions of American and October 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, 1896. The Library of the Late William October 20 and 21, 1896. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. October 21, 1896. A Collection of Americana and Early American Imprints. Sold in Philadelphia by Stan. V. Henkels. October 22 and 23, 1896. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. October 26, 27, and 28, 1896. A Collection of Books, chiefly from the Library of a New York Collector. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. October 27, 1896. A Library of Fine Art Works, etc., from the Stichtenoth Residence, Clifton. Sold in Cincinnati by The Ezekiel & Bernheim Co. October 29, 1896. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. October 30, 1896. A Collection of Law Books. Bangs & Co. November 4 and 5, 1896. Sold in New York by A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. November 9 and 10, 1896. A Collection of Books from Bernard Quaritch. Sold in Chicago by Flersheim, Barker, & Severn. November 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, 1896. The Library of the Late Henry F. Sewall. Part I. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. November 16, 1896. The Library of the Late Dr. Charles A. Schneider. November 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20, 1896. The Library of the Late William November 23 and 24, 1896. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New November 25, 1896. December 3, 1896. A Collection of Law Books. Sold in New York by December 7, 8, and 9, 1896. The Library of the Late Richard Riker. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. December 10 and 11, 1896. The Library of the Late George H. Harris, with additions. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. December 14, 1896. A Collection of Rare Books, Pamphlets, Views, Maps, and Newspapers relating to America. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. December 15 and 16, 1896. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. December 17 and 18, 1896. The Library of the Late Marshall O. Roberts. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. December 21, 22, and 23, 1896. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. December 28, 1896. A Collection of Autographs. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. December 30, 1896. A Collection of Law Books. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. January 4, 5, and 6, 1897. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. January 5 and 6, 1897. A Collection of Americana. C. F. Libbie & Co. January 7 and 8, 1897. A Miscellaneous Collection. by Bangs & Co. Sold in Boston by Sold in New York January 11, 1897. A Collection of Autograph Letters. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. January 12, 1897. A small Collection of Uncommon Books, etc., from a Private Library. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. January 13, 1897. A Collection of Books in Various Departments of Literature. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. January 14 and 15, 1897. A Library of Standard Books in English Literature. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. January 18, 1897. Valuable Books Collected by the Late J. M. Muñoz. Sold in New York, at the American Art Galleries. January 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22, 1897. The Library of the Late Henry F. Sewall. Part III. Sold in New York by Bangs & Co. January 19, 1897. The Private Library of the Late Franklin B. Gowen, Esq. Sold in Philadelphia by Stan. V. Henkels. January 21 and 22, 1897. A Miscellaneous Collection. by C. F. Libbie & Co. Sold in Boston January 25 and 26, 1897. A Miscellaneous Collection. Sold in New |