SALE INFORMATION | CONTACT & VIEWING
Important Printed Books & Manuscripts
From Beriah Botfield's Library at Longleat
Sale 6681
13 June 2002, 2:30 pm
8 King Street, St. James's, London
Beriah Botfield was one of the great book collectors of the first half of the 19th century. His library of fine manuscripts, Caxtons, first editions of the Greek and Latin classics, books printed on vellum, and magnificent topographical and natural history books joined the historic Thynne collections at Longleat House in the mid-20th century.
Among the works selected for sale is the first book printed in the English language by William Caxton at Bruges before he introduced the printing press to England (Raoul Le Fevre's Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye, 1473).
Further great works include a superb humanistic manuscript of Virgil, illuminated by Francesco di Antonio del Chierico and written by Antonio Tophio; a complete blockbook Biblia Pauperum; and Manetti's Storia degli Uccelli with the plates in counterproof and colored by hand.
An album of original watercolor views of Calcutta by James Baillie Fraser, circa 1820, contains some of the finest watercolors of the Orient ever produced by this great Scottish artist.
Join Margaret Ford, Director, Books & Manuscripts Department, London for an audio guide to some of the highlights of the sale.
Read more about Longleat House.
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Sale 6681, Lot 4 Virgil (70-19 B.C.)Opera. Illuminated manuscript on vellum. Written by Antonio Tophio and illuminated by Francesco di Antonio del Chierico. Estimate: £500,000-800,000 Read more
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