BAY PSALM BOOK
[AMERICANA BOOK AUCTION.] Catalogue of the valuable private Library of the late Edward A. Crowninshield, embracing in the Collection a large Number of valuable and rare books … rare Works on the early History of America … the first Book printed in North America, “The Bay Psalm Book;” Elliot’s Indian Bible; Mather’s Magnalia … To be sold by Auction, on Tuesday, November 1, 1859, and three following Days, in the Library Saleroom of Leonard & Co., Chapman Hall, (Chapman Place,) School Street … Boston: Alfred Mudge & Son, Printers … 1859.
8vo., pp. 80; a few corners folded, last few leaves slightly creased, but a very good copy in the original pink printed paper wrappers, spine chipped at foot.
First edition of the sale catalogue of the library of Edward Crowninshield, a long-time customer of the famous Americana dealer Henry Stevens. Stevens purchased the library en bloc before the sale for $9000, ‘to prove that in spite of statements to the contrary the books he sold to Crowninshield had maintained their values’ (Dickinson, Dictionary of American Book Collectors). After offering first choice to other major collectors in the field, including James Lenox and John Carter Brown, Stevens consigned the remainder to auction in London at Puttick and Simpson in 1860 – Sir Thomas Phillips bought heavily at the sale.Stevens offered the Bay Psalm Book, ‘a perfect copy of the first book printed in North America, and in the original old vellum binding’, to the British Museum, but after five years of procrastination he found a ready buyer, at 150 guineas, in George Brinley. This copy is now at Yale.
£350
This item is listed on Bibliopoly by Bernard Quaritch Ltd.; click here for further details.