This exceptionally fine copy of the Monuments of Egypt and Nubia by Ippolito Rosellini housed in a custom made mahogany case sold for a hammer price of 74,000 at Fonsie Mealy’s sale of the library at Howth Castle today. The first edition of the elephant folio, Pisa, 1832-1834 with plates is inscribed: “Presented by his Grace the Duke of Northumberland K.G.F.R.S. President R.I.,”. The lot came together with a second set in original condition with plates in original wrappers and a complete set of the original text volumes.
Fine Greek, Latin, Italian, French, German and English volumes from 1515 to 1920 and important books on travel, botany and history are included in Fonsie Mealy’s live and online sale of the library at Howth Castle on September 22 and 23. next Wednesday and Thursday (Sep 22-23). Bibliophiles from around the world will connect to the sale with rarities incuding The Munster Farmers Magazine (1812-1816), the Botanical Magazine 1746-93 with more than 10,000 illustrated plates, log books of British warships, ecclesiastical history, Lutyens plans for Howth Castle and volumes covering a vast range of subjects. There is important original manuscript work and correspondence from Saint John Henry Newman, signed, presentation and annotated copies, together with periodicals in large runs. There is a collection of early books by George Berkeley, fine coloured plate books of botanical and travel interest, a good collection of 19th century English poetry, photographs and a collection of material, atlases, addresses and manuscripts, scrap albums of watercolours and prints and photograph albums relating to the Gaisford-St. Lawrence family and the local area of Howth Castle Estate.
Lot 368 is a descriptive catalogue of the prints of Sir Joshua Reynolds signed by the artist. UPDATE: THIS MADE 750 AT HAMMER
The entire contents of the Howth Castle Library is generally in fine original condition and in fine bindings. Dean Thomas Gaisford in 1812, at the age of 32, was elected Regius Professor of Greek at Oxford University, a position he held for 43 years, until his death in 1855. He was Dean of Christ Church, Oxford from 1830 for 25 years. The St. Lawrence family came to Howth in 1177. Howth Castle is one of the longest continuously inhabited private homes in Europe.
