Catalogue of books of Richard Topham`s library, in the hand of William Stukeley (1687-1765).

Item

Identifier: Adv.MS.5.1.8

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The catalogue is arranged under the headings:

`Antiquitates Variae Graecae and Romanae Iconibus Expressae` (folio 1);

`Scriptores De Antiquitatibus Graecis and Romanis ` (folio 8);

`Scriptores de Graecis and Romanis Antiquitatibus Chorographici and Topographici` (folio15); and,

`Rei Nummariae Scriptores` (folio 20).

On folio i is written in pencil `Topham`s Catalogue`. This refers to the library of Richard Topham (1671-1730), sometime Keeper of the Records in the Tower, at Eton. William Stukeley recorded a visit to the Library in 1748. Topham is mentioned among great contemporary collectors in Pope`s `Epistle to Burlington`, line 7: `He buys for Topham drawings and designs...` Topham was celebrated for his collection of prints and drawings, as well as for his library. George Vertue visited the Library in 1738: ` a large Collection of books of prints of all kinds, besides a fine Library of Learned books. Mr Topham was many years making the great Collection at great expence.` (`Vertue Notebooks`, vi.)

Dates

Creation: Mid 18th century.

Extent

0.00 Linear metres (i + 24 + several blank folios. Folio.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Existence and Location of Copies

Microfilm available: Mf.Sec.MSS.111.

Bibliography

‘The Family Memoirs of the Rev. William Stukeley’, iii, Surtees Society, Volume 80 (1885), 462.

‘Vertue Notebooks’, iv, 118 for a detailed description of the Library, `to be viewed by the learned and Curious`.

‘Vertue Notebooks’, vi, 101 (Walpole Society, Volume 30).