Earl of Ashburnham Library Catalog Manuscript, ca. 1870-1900
Title
Earl of Ashburnham Library Catalog Manuscript
RLIN ID No.
NYGG02-A62
Dates
ca. 1870-1900
Extent
5 linear feet; 5 boxes; 35 volumes (22 cm. X 10cm.) (oblong 12mo.)
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research use. Copyright restrictions may apply; please contact repository for requests for copying and for authorization to publish, quote, or reproduce the materials.
Preferred Citation
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Earl of Ashburnham Library Catalog Manuscript, ca. 1870-1900
About the Finding Aid
This finding aid was revised by Allison Hughes in Microsoft Word at the Grolier Club, March 2018.
Provenance
The printed books in the Ashburnham Library were largely dispersed via sale at Sotheby’s, Wilkinson & Hodge (1897-1898). “The residue of the library was bought by Hall’s Bookshop [of Tunbridge Wells (Kent, England)] in 1953 on the death of Catherine, Lady Ashburnham,” according to note made by the purchaser, the English bibliographical historian, librarian and book collector Alan Noel Latimer Munby. The catalog was next sold by order of the Munby Estate at the Sotheby’s sale of 22 March 1976 and purchased by Maggs Brothers (London).
Historical/Biographical Note
Bertram, 4th Earl of Ashburnham, began his career as a book collector while a student at Westminster School (London) in 1814 and continued collecting until shortly before his death. Known also as a collector of manuscripts, his collection of printed books was founded on his desire to obtain the rarest editions and most perfect copies of the books he wanted. He was particularly interested in Bibles and service books, the earliest editions of the first English writers, Greek and Latin authors, books printed on vellum, and books with woodcuts by the early designers and engravers.
Scope and Content Note
The original manuscript catalog of the printed books of noted English book collection. Arranged alphabetically by author, with a few groupings by type (chapbooks and service books) with corrections and deletions, press marks, and notes.
General Note
Title and date taken from Sotheby’s (London) catalog for Munby Library Sale of 22 March 1976 (Item #9). The numbering of leaves is individual to each volume.
General Note
Bound in contemporary brown half-morocco.
Access Points
Names
Ashburnham, Bertram Ashburnham, Earl of, 1797-1878, collector.
Munby, A. N. L. (Alan Noel Latimer), 1913-1974, former owner.
Subjects
Private Libraries. England. 19th century. Catalogs.
Library catalogues. England. 19th century.
Book collecting. England. 19th century.
Book collectors. England. 19th century.