THE BRITISH LIBRARY CATALOGUE OF THE ASHLEY MANUSCRIPTS.
In two volumes, Part I: Descriptions. Part II: Index. Foreword by Ann Payne. Pp. xvi+440+[ii]+[441]-726(last blank), 8 plates; med. 8vo; green cloth, spines lettered and ruled in gilt; The British Library, London, 1999. First edition. *New catalogue of the manuscript portions of the Ashley Library of Thomas. J. Wise, which was purchased by the British Museum after his death. 'The Ashley collection is superbly rich in original manuscripts and correspondence of most of the outstanding English poets and literary figures of the 19th century, and a new catalogue of the manuscript material to replace Wise's unsatisfactory privately printed one has long been a desideratum' [Foreword]. In his preface, the cataloguer explains: 'The lack of an accurate and trustworthy catalogue has prevented this outstanding collection from being exploited as it ought. Wise's lack of scholarship and of honesty, and his practice of dispersing related manuscripts throughout the collection, have made it impossible accurately to identify the contents' [p. xi]. Item #157288
Price: $75.00