1754 Catalogue of the Library belonging to Richard Mead MD
MEAD, Richard (1673-1754) 'Bibliotheca Meadiana sive catalogus Librorum Richardi Mead, M.D. qui prostabunt venales sub hasta, apud Samuelem Baker in vico dicto York-Street, Covent Garden, Londini die lunae 18vo. Novembus, MDCCLlV iterumque die lunae 7mo. Aprilis, MDCCLV' (The Meadian Library, or catalogue of the books of Richard Mead, M.D., which will be sold at auction at the house of Samuel Baker in the said York-Street, Covent Garden, London, on Monday the 18th of November, 1754, and again on Monday the 7th of April, 1755)
Pub. [LONDINI]: Catalogi venundantur apud plurimos Londini bibliopolas, et in ominibus uroibus Europae celebrioribus, unius solidi pretio, 1754. Colation brief: Title, [1] leaf, 116 pp, [1] leaf, pp. 117-242, pp 1-4 (29th night May 9 1755)
Mead's library was a famous one containing many rarities notably those of classical writers. His medical books formed a relatively small portion of the total library.
He had a copy of Vesalius Epitome, 1543 printed on vellum. This almost unique item sold for 88. 1. 6 and is now in the British Museum.
The anatomical section of his library was particularly strong and is discussed in detail in Russell, K.F. "The anatomical library of Dr Richard Mead (1673- 1754)", J. Hist, Med., 1974 2, 97-109.
Mead's collection of Greek manuscripts was purchased privately by Dr Anthony Askew (1722-1772) a noted bibliophile whose library was sold in 1775. Fully priced. Totals for two sales: First sale £2475-18-6; Second sale £3033-1-6. The first sale occupied 28 days from 18 Nov to 19 Dec and the second 28 days and 1 night from 7 Apr to 9 May 1755
Brown leather with gold leaf cover border and gilded page edges, missing headband, noticeable scratching to leather, cracks and chipping to spine, green endpapers, minor foxing and tanning, historic penned script of prices to margins throughout and to end, 'Bound by H. Faulkner, George Court, Adelphi'. Owner: The copy belonged to Thomas Frognall DIBDIN (1776-1847) the famous bibliographer with a note and his initials on p.139. References: ESTC T1340; Russell, K.F. "The anatomical library of Dr Richard Mead (1673-1754)", J. Hist, Med., 1974 2, 97-109. Bookplate: Ex Libris K.F. Russell small 'Tyrell's Pty Ltd 281 George St, cnr Hunter St' stamp to inner back cover (210x130mm)

PROVENANCE:
Collection Late Kenneth F. Russell (1911-1987), Professor of Anatomy and Medical History, University of Melbourne.

Estimate $400-500