A CATALOGUE OF Richard HEBER'S COLLECTION OF Early English Poetry, THE DRAMA, ANCIENT BALLADS, AND BROADSIDES, RARE AND CURIOUS BOOKS ON ENGLISH, SCOTTISH, AND IRISH HISTORY, AND FRENCH ROMANCES, WITH NOTICES, BY J. PAYNE COLLIER, ESQ., AND : Prices and Purchasers' Names..... "The part of his Library of which Mr. Heber was most proud, and which he laboured, for nearly forty years, with unceasing perseverance, and equally constant pleasure, to enrich and complete. If Collectors find any specimens of Early English Poetry not described in this Catalogue, they may be certain that their value will be much increased by the rare distinction of having been wanting to the Heber Collection."-Preface. THE present Catalogue comprises some very curious books on English, Scotch, and Irish History; and some rare French Romances, at this time sought for with peculiar curiosity and interest by the French Collectors; but its distinguishing feature is, that, with the exception of the duplicate inferior copies, it contains the major portion of Mr. Heber's Collection of English Poetry, and of Authors connected with the commencement and progress of the English language and literature. This was the part of his Library, of which Mr. Heber was the most proud, and which he laboured, for nearly forty years, with unceasing perseverance, and equally constant pleasure, to enrich and complete. Very few previous observations will however be here necessary, as to many of the most valuable articles are appended descriptions or notices, furnished principally by the kindness of a friend, whose knowledge in this branch of literature is pre-eminent. After mentioning the Ancient Ballads and Broadsides, forming so curious and so interesting a branch of our national Literature, by Tarleton, Elderton, Preston, Newton, Birch, Peele, Phillips, and others, whose names are quite new to Poetical Antiquaries; and the beautiful condition of the copies of Chapman, Daniel, Drayton, and Sir David Lindesay: it will be only necessary to direct |