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- Catalogue of the Library Belonging to Mr. John A. Rice
Catalogue of the Library Belonging to Mr. John A. Rice, of Chicago Ill. By Bangs, Merwin & Co.
(Book auction catalog). Rice, John A. and Joseph Sabin.
J. Sabin & Sons, ( 1870), New York
24 cm. xvi, 556 pp.
Price: $175
Rice was a collector in the English tradition, assembling a “gentleman’s library” of fine bindings, illustrated books, and high spots. This catalog is notable for having been written by Joseph Sabin, the great bibliograper,whose “Dictionary of Books Relating to America” is still in wide use today. By this time in his career, Sabin had gone into business with his sons, but was still cataloging and selling libraries on a professional basis. In an interesting preface, Sabin points out desirable books in each category in the auction. Probably the most important one, from our modern point of view, was Elliot’s so-called “Indian Bib le,” to which Sabin dedicates a long description. It is interesting to compare this description with his description of the Joseph Allan copy of the same book, written six years earlier (See item #___). Ex-libris Torrington Ct Library, with bookplate on front pastedown and two library blindstams at the bottom of the front blank and title page. No other markings. Very good condition in half green morocco over marbled boards, with library call number on linen sticker at base of spine.
