Item #721 Catalogue of the Library Belonging to Mr. John A. Rice, of Chicago Ill. By Bangs, Merwin & Co. John A. Rice.
Catalogue of the Library Belonging to Mr. John A. Rice, of Chicago Ill. By Bangs, Merwin & Co.
One of the Highest Grossing Auctions of the Period

Catalogue of the Library Belonging to Mr. John A. Rice, of Chicago Ill. By Bangs, Merwin & Co.

New York: J. Sabin & Sons, 1870. Item #721

8vo.  237 x 155 mm., [9 ¼ x 6 ¼ inches].  xvi, 556 pp.,  2667 lots, including printed price list.  Late 19th century brown cloth, original wrappers bound-in. Binding cloth soiled, and showing wear on spine and boards, one signature sprung. 


First 100 lots priced in pencil.  John Rice built his collection following the example of his English counterparts who formed gentlemen libraries of rare books.  Rice focused on finely bound books, extra-illustrated copies, natural history, English and American literature and a strong collection of English history and Americana.  Joseph Sabin who catalogued the library prepared an extensive introduction that is a useful guide to the high spots in the collection.  Sabin considers Rice’s illustrated books as the most interesting group in the collection.  According to Cannon, the Rice collection brough $ 42,000 and was one of the highest grossing sales of the period.


Cannon, American Book Collectors and Collecting, p. 115.  McKay, American Book Auction Catalogues, 1534.   (721)

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Price: $250.00

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