Yes, I did understand, but I thought that maybe Radcliffe, who does
Spenser's *nachleben* I think they call it, would have some easy way
to find out. I too saw that book listed on the web. Oh to be rich! I
do have a (badly damaged) 1596, 1607, and 1611, but for some reason
those are cheap compared to Complaints. I was at the NY Antiquarian
Book Fair (a free ticket from a friend, so I thought why not) a few
weeks ago and saw Nashe's *Lenten Stuffe* for, and I'm not kidding,
$55,000. Yes, fifty-five grand. For Nashe. Helen Vincent, who runs
the Library of Scotland's rare book department, tells me that the
people who buy such books tend to be rich collectors rather than
libraries on a budget. Rachel, if you want to e-mail me off-list I
might be able to put you in touch with one or two rare book dealers/
scholars who might have some info on how to find out quickly, but you
probably know already. Anne.
On May 23, 2007, at 10:00 AM, Rachel Bassett wrote:
> Thanks, Anne. I was unclear---I'm looking for info on the price
> they paid in the 18th century (though, in response to your
> question, I did just spend a pleasant 15 minutes doing Spenser
> searches on abebooks.com. For a mere $25,000, I could own a first
> edition of the _Complaints_: bring me my checkbook, Jeeves!).
> Frushell is silent on the question, but thanks for the suggestion.
>
> Rachel
>
> Date: Tue, 22 May 2007 08:51:28 -0400
> From: anne prescott <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Price of 18th-century editions of Spenser
>
> Is this the price you would pay now or the price they payed in the
> 18th c.? David Radcliffe (the one with a website) might know.
> Anything in Frushell's book on Spenser in the early 18th century?
> Anne Prescott.
> On May 22, 2007, at 7:57 AM, Rachel Bassett wrote:
>
>> Hello, all,
>>
>> I have a query about prices for some 18th-century editions of
>> Spenser, specifically the 1715 (large-paper subscriber version or
>> small-paper version), 1750, or 1758 Hughes editions and the 1751
>> Birch edition (illustrated by William Kent---Andrew Hadfield, are
>> you out there, and do you know this?). I can't find any actual
>> prices mentioned in Ray Heffner or Jewel Wurtsbaugh, and I'm hoping
>> someone out there magically happens to know this so I can avoid the
>> travel involved in seeking out advertisements in the _London
>> Gazette_ or looking up publishing contracts.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Rachel
>
>
> Rachel Hile Bassett, Ph.D.
>
> Assistant Professor
> Department of English & Linguistics
> Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne
> [log in to unmask]
>
> Editor-in-Chief
> Clio: A Journal of Literature, History, and the Philosophy of History
> [log in to unmask]
>
> Office: CM 103
> Phone: 260-481-6768
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