Book Prices - Current. Vol. III. (Elliot Stock.)—This record of the prices
at which books have been sold by auction from December, 1888, to November, 1889, will be scanned with much interest and curiosity by the book-buyer. In these latter days his sport has become more difficult, and therefore, we suppose, more fascinating. There is a fashion in book-hunting, well-nigh as tickle as fashions in dress, and this annual publication will have some interest in the future as well as for the collector of to-day. Book-hunters with a passion for the game do not buy books in order to read them, Volumes of the most contemptible character in a literary point of view may be none the less precious on that account. Mrs. Behn's poems, for instance, sold last year for £3, Mrs. Bellamy's Memoirs for £9 10s., and an ancient copy of a "Dialogue in the Shades" between Mrs. Cibber and Peg Woffington for £62 10s. Bindings and illustrations are just now greatly in vogue in the book- market. Lever's works, complete in 59 volumes, fetched no less a sum than £275. Cruikshank, whose work seems to be exhaustless, is in high favour ; and first editions of Thackeray reached large prices. A first edition, beautifully bound, of "The Vicar of Wakefield" sold for £67, which is .£7 more than Goldsmith received from Newbery for the work ; and the first edition of Gray's "Elegy," bound by Bedford, sold for £55. Theatrical books greatly attracted collectors, an I works bound by Riviere seem to have been well appreciated. A good deal that is curious and instructive may be gathered from this remarkable volume, which, to judge from the high prices given for wretched farces and for stage scandals, does not raise one's estimate of a book- collector's hobby. In many instances, no doubt, it may be an intelligent as well as an amusing pursuit.
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