{"product_id":"white-knights-library-catalogue-of-that-distinguished-and-celebrated-library-which-will-be-sold-by-auction-paperback-9781108065986","title":"White Knights Library; Catalogue of that Distinguished and Celebrated Library Which Will Be Sold by Auction (Paperback \/ softback) 9781108065986","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eWhite Knights Library\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cfont size=\"5\"\u003eCatalogue of that Distinguished and Celebrated Library Which Will Be Sold by Auction\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReissued here together, the two parts of the 1819 sale catalogue for one of the period's grandest libraries, with annotations about prices and purchasers.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eRobert Harding Evans (Author)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9781108065986, Cambridge University Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePaperback \/ softback, published 22 May 2014\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e242 pages\u003cbr\u003e22.9 x 15.2 x 1.4 cm, 0.36 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eThe dispersal of the library amassed by George Spencer-Churchill (1766–1840), Marquess of Blandford and later fifth Duke of Marlborough, is most commonly cited today as a preservative against folly. The collection contained some of the most sought-after incunabula of a period defined by the high prices paid for early printed books. It included a fine selection of Caxtons, spectacular botanical and emblem books, and the iconic Valdarfer Boccaccio - the first edition of the Decameron, purchased by Blandford in 1812 for the unprecedented sum of £2,260. The Boccaccio was symptomatic of the profligate expenditure of its buyer. By 1819 his spendthrift ways had ruined him, leading to the sale of his opulent estate at Whiteknights, near Reading, and the dispersal of one of the key libraries in the era of bibliomania. Reissued here together are the two parts of the auction catalogue, both annotated by an auction attendee who recorded details of the purchasers and the prices paid. Ed Potten, Head of Rare Books at Cambridge University Library, has provided a new introduction that places the catalogue in its wider context.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eIntroduction Ed Potten\u003cbr\u003e Conditions of sale\u003cbr\u003e Index to the days of sale\u003cbr\u003e A catalogue of a rare and splendid library\u003cbr\u003e A catalogue of the White Knights library - part second.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSubject Areas: Literary studies: general [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on Literary studies: general\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22Literary%20studies:%20general%20%5BDSB%5D%22\"\u003eDSB\u003c\/a\u003e]\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/font\u003e","brand":"Cambridge University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46266152223000,"sku":"9781108065986","price":23.29,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/products\/9781108065986i_6412e2a6-5be0-41ab-9494-0cf322252507.jpg?v=1696748596","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/white-knights-library-catalogue-of-that-distinguished-and-celebrated-library-which-will-be-sold-by-auction-paperback-9781108065986","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}