Dibdin, Thomas Frognall; Spencer, George John [Oth.]: Bibliotheca Spenceriana: or a descriptive catalogue of the books printed in the fifteenth century, and of many valuable first editions, in the library of George John Earl Spencer (Band 1) (London, 1814) [Cicognara, 4650-1]

PREFACE.

v

of the importance of havirig such books
carefully collated. No pains, therefore, have
been spared in ascertaining the number of
the leaves, and the order of the signatures.
The latter attempt has never before, to my
knowledge, been accomplished in regarcl to
foreign publications. But notwithstanding
every effort to be accurate, I am far from
supposing that the work is faultless in these
particulars. It may however boast of a
comparatively near approach to accuracy.

In respect to the description of the con-
dition of each copy, it may be safely affirmed
that such description is equally honest and
particular. A Collection of Books, so splen-
did and uncommon as is the present, will
not easily have its lustre dimmed by the
unavoidable introduction of a few indifferent
copies. In regard to those Editions where
the names of printers, the places, and the
dates are omitted, all that can be reasonably
expected is, to state probable conjectures.

The Study of Bibliography in this
country is perhaps in its infancy; but it is

vol. i. b