Autograph Letter Signed William Blades, bibliographer, to the Earl of Ashburnham, Collector, with related autograph material.

Two pages, 12mo, chipped and with small closed tears, with loss of half a line of text and some letters, bottom edge turned up. I beg to offer you according to your reque[st] a list of books printed by Caxton, in the library at Ashburnham House with their imperfections and sizes. | I have taken the liber[ty] to send alsosuch not[es] [half line lost] will I thi[nk] apply to the particlular copies under description[.] Certainty is often difficult to arrive at, and should your lordship incline to favour me with any corrections or emendations in the accompanying notes, they will be greatly esteemed and carefully noted by . . . . WITH: The notes in Blades' hand referred to in this letter, 3pp., 12mo, bifolium, chipped, sunned and turned edges, etc, minor losses, signed William Blades | 21/4/58, commencing, The Book of divers ghost[ly matters printed by Caxton in 4to consists of three separate tracts meant evidently to be bound in one volume, but with the signatures arranged . . . He goes on to list the three titles, and then lists the libraries which hold them (Cambridge Public Library, Althorpe, Ham House, Durham, giving information about the copies, including condition and sale price. He adds that there is a copy for sale, 2nd tract only, in perfect condition and modern binding. He concludes that The above are the only copies I have seen. Note: (Quaritch, Book Collectors, [Ashburnham's] series of books from the press of Caxton he reckoned as second only to that at Althorp among private libraries.