It is unnecessary to say that this book seldom comes into the market.  The recorded sales are very few.  In 1682 R. Smith sold a perfect copy for 13s. 2d.  In 1773 J. West’s copy was bought by George iii. for.L32 0s. 6d.  Alchorne’s imperfect copy was bought by Inglis for L54 12s., and at the sale of his books found a purchaser in Lord Audley for L31 10s., and was again transferred, in 1855, to the possession of Mr. J. Cunliffe for L60 l0s. 0d.[3] Mr. J. Holford’s copy was bought at the Mainwaring sale for L101.

The last copy offered for sale was described in one of Mr. Bernard Quaritch’s catalogues issued in 1872, and the account given by that veteran bibliopole is well worth reproduction.

Caxton’s game and play of chess moralized, (translated 1474) first edition, folio, 65 leaves (of the 72), bound in old ruffia gilt, L400.

[Blackletter:  Fynyshid the last day of Marche the yer of our Lord God,
a thousand foure hondred and lxxiiii....]

An extremely large, though somewhat imperfect copy of

The first book printed in england, from Caxton’s press.

Mr. Blades quotes 9 copies (4 perfect, 5 imperfect), the present is the 10th known copy, and is taller than even the Grenville—­hitherto the tallest known copy; my copy measures 11-1/8 inch in height by 8 in width, whilst the Grenville copy (also imperfect) is only 11 inches high.

Collation of my copy: 

[Blackletter:  This Booke conteyneth iiii traytees] 1 leaf.
[Blackletter:  This first chapiter of the first tractate] 1 leaf.
[Blackletter:  The trouthe for to do Justice right wysly,]
   etc. to the end 62 leaves.
  The last leaf with the date:
[Blackletter:  In conquerynge his rightful inheritance,]
  ending: [Blackletter:  fynyshed], etc. 1474 1 leaf.
          
                                                 -------------
          
                                                 65 leaves.

My copy wants therefore 7 leaves, the two blank ones being out of question.  The imperfections include the first leaf, and two leaves in the second chapitre of the fourth tractate, the end is all right.  I should be glad to hear of any imperfect copy of this work, which would supply me with what I want.  In the mean time this precious relic of the Infancy of Printing in England can be feen by buyers of Rare books.

See Dibdin’s Bibl.  Spenc.  IV. p. 189.

No copy of this edition has been sold for years; in 1813, Alchorne’s copy, wanting first two leaves, the last two leaves and two leaves in the second chapter of the fourth tractate, fetched at Evans’, L54. 12_s_.  The value of this class of books has much risen since then, and may now be considered, as ten times greater.