The Gibson Craig Library. Catalogue of the Valuable and very extensive Library of the late James T. Gibson Craig, Esq. (removed from Edinburgh)

32 chromo-lithographic plates of bindings (one double-page). Three vols. in one. Thick & heavy very large 4to (340 x 255 mm.), cont. half-morocco & marbled boards by Zaehnsdorf (a bit rubbed & worn at extremities), spine gilt, t.e.g. London, Dryden Press for Sotheby’s, 1887-1888.

One of 100 large paper copies (our copy unnumbered); this is certainly the largest “large paper” copy of an auction catalogue ever produced. Gibson Craig (1799-1886), was a notable Scottish antiquary and one of the original members of the Bannatyne Club, who during his long life befriended Sir Walter Scott, Sir Henry Raeburn, Macauley, David Laing, et al. His library, 9404 lots, realized £15,509.4.6, a very considerable sum more than a hundred years ago. The principal treasures were historic Scottish and French gold-tooled bindings.

The 32 chromo-lithographic plates reproduce bindings by Grolier (2), Henri II and Diane de Poitiers (2), Mary Queen of Scots (2), her husband the Earl of Bothwell, Duodo, De Thou (2), Longepierre, Hoym (2), Mme de Pompadour, Charles II of Spain, et al.

Nice set, complete with the printed price lists which include buyers’ names.

❧ De Ricci, p. 192. ODNB.