Bibliophobia, Signed (1 results)

Brown boards [perhaps later?], printed title-labels to front board and spine {spine-label perhaps a later addition?] 8vo, 23 cm, 102 pp, errata slip tipped-in at p17. Dibdin's survey of the state of the book trade in Bibliophobia came against the backdrop of his own difficult financial circumstances. The particular spur to publication was the ludicrously low prices realized at a sale by Evans on 19 August 1831 of some 13 manuscripts of Scott's novels: hoping to improve on an offer of £1000 for the manuscripts, the owners consigned them to auction but realized little over £300. Dibdin laments this and numerous other exmples of shockingly low prices, attributing the state of the market not just to a shortage of money but also altered tastes influenced by the impending Reform Bill and the cholera. Dibdin nevertheless manages to end on a note of optimism, certain that the tide will turn: it did, of course, but not in his own lifetime. Presentation Copy, inscribed by Dibdin on a front endpaper: " - Morgan Esq., From the Author". Loosely inserted is an autograph letter of Dibdin, signed, to a Mr Nugee at 20 St James Street proposing to call on him to collect "two precious documents" (written on first 2 pages of a single sheet folded once, further folded for posting and stamped with penny postage paid and remnants of wax seal). Francis Nugee "tailor, &c." is listed at 20 St. James's Street, Pall Mall in the 1843 London Post Office directory, and other correspondence exists showing him to have been Dibdin's tailor. Small circular blindstamp on front free endpaper "Ex Bibliotheca Dr Detlev Mauss", partly cutting the leaf. Slight wear to head of spine, minor marks to boards, some foxing throughout, otherwise Good.