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- A Catalogue of the Books
A Catalogue of the Books, Autographs, Engravings and Miscellaneous Articles, Belonging to the Estate of the Late John Allan.
(Book auction catalog). Sabin, Joseph.
Bangs, Merwin & Co., ( 1864), New York
24.5 cm. vi, (2), 343, (1) pp.
Price: $150
The interesting thing about this catalog is that it was prepared by bibliographer, bookseller, and auctioneer Joseph Sabin, whose life work, “Dictionary of Books Relating to America…” sits on the shelf of every dealer of Americana. In the preface, Sabin wrote a description of the collection, the highlight of which was Allan’s copy of the Elliot Indian Bible – to which Sabin devotes a full page of description in the catalog. By the time of this sale, he’d already left the book trade but was still preparing catalogs on a professional basis. On the very last page, he writes that he will give “…his personal attention at the sale, as a purchaser, for gentlement who cannot attend.” With an obit of Allan tipped onto the front pastedown, along with the bookplate of noted collector Herschel V. Jones. Laid in is Also laid in is a printed sheet describing a missal to be offered at the sale, with a pencil note at the bottom which I believe to be in Sabin’s hand. Bound in half green morocco over marbled boards. Light wear to joints. Original catalog wrappers bound in. Very good condition.
