Books and Manuscripts from the English Library of Archibald, 5th Earl of Rosebery and Midlothian, K.G., K.T.

The sale of Books and Manuscripts from the English Library of the 5th Earl of Rosebery includes many rare bibliophilic treasures. First among these is a remarkable series of letters by Lord Byron to his close friend Francis Hodgson (lot 19). The collection offers fascinating snapshots of Byron’s private life from 1808, well before his fame as a poet was established, to 1821, during his self-imposed exile from England and just three years before his death aged thirty-six. The Romantic theme continues with two outstanding Coleridge items containing extensive annotations by the poet (lots 28 and 29).

Travel literature is represented by a superb copy of Campi phlegraei, William Hamilton’s picturesque book on volcanoes (lot 54), and a presentation copy of Captain Bligh’s account of the mutiny on the Bounty (lot 10). There are cartographical treasures, too, in particular a copy of Christopher Saxton’s atlas of England and Wales – the first of its kind – with contemporary hand-colour (lot 99).