CATULLUS, TIBULLUS & PROPERTIUS. 1472.  Folio.  Editio Princeps.  Of equal, if not greater, rarity than even the Ausonius.  This is a sound and very desirable copy—­displaying the ancient ms. signatures.  The edges of the leaves are rather of a foxy tint.  After the Catullus, a blank leaf.  This copy measures eleven inches one eighth, by very nearly seven inches five eighths.

HOMERI OPERA.  Gr. 1488.  Folio.  Editio Princeps.  When you are informed that this copy is ...  UNCUT ... you will necessarily figure to yourself a volume of magnificent, as well as pristine, dimensions.  Yet, without putting on spectacles, one discovers occasionally a few foxy spots towards the edges; and the first few leaves are perhaps somewhat tawny.  Upon the whole, however, the condition is wonderful:  and I am almost ashamed of myself at having talked about foxy spots and tawny tints.  This copy is bound in red morocco, in a sensible, unassuming manner.  For the comfort of such, whose copies aspire to the distinction of being almost uncut, I add, that this volume measures fourteen inches, by about nine inches and five eighths.

HOMERI OPERA.  Gr. 1808. Printed by Bodoni.  Folio. 2 volumes.  This grand copy is printed UPON VELLUM, and is the presentation copy to Bonaparte—­to whom this edition was dedicated, by Bodoni.[72] Splendid, large, and beautiful, as is this typographical performance, I must candidly own that there is something about it which “likes me not.”  The vellum, however choice, and culled by Bodoni’s most experienced foragers, is, to my eye, too white—­which arises perhaps from the text occupying so comparatively small a space in the page.  Nor is the type pleasing to my taste.  It is too cursive and sparkling; and the upper strokes are uniformly too thin.  In short, the whole has a cold effect.  However, this is questionless one of the most magnificent productions of the modern press.  The volumes measure two feet in length.

CRONIQUES DE FRANCE. Printed by Verard. 1493.  Folio.  Three vols.  A glorious copy—­printed UPON VELLUM!  The wood-cuts are coloured.  It is bound in red morocco.

LAUNCELOT DU LAC. Printed by Verard. 1494.  Folio. 3 vols.  Also UPON VELLUM.  In red morocco binding.  There is yet another copy of the same date, upon vellum, but with different illuminations:  equally magnificent and covetable.  In red morocco binding.

GYRON LE COURTOYS:  auecques la devise des armes de tous les cheualiers de la table ronde. Printed by Verard. Without Date.  Folio.  Printed UPON VELLUM.  This was once a fine thumping fellow of a copy!—­but it has lost somewhat of its stature by the knife of the binder—­or rather from the destruction of the Library of St. Germain des Pres:  whence it was thrown into the streets, and found next day by M. Van Praet.  Many of the books, from the same library, were thrown into cellars.  It is evident, from the larger illuminations, and especially from the fourth, on the recto of d vj, that this volume has suffered in the process of binding.  In old blue morocco.