A similar mania arose at the beginning of this century for
collections of illuminated initials, which were taken from MSS.,
and arranged on the pages of a blank book in alphabetical order.
Some of our cathedral libraries suffered severely from depredations
of this kind. At Lincoln, in the early part of this century,
the boys put on their robes in the library, a room close
to the choir. Here were numerous old MSS., and eight or ten
rare Caxtons. The choir boys used often to amuse themselves,
while waiting for the signal to "fall in," by cutting out with their
pen-knives the illuminated initials and vignettes, which they would
take into the choir with them and pass round from one to another.
The Dean and Chapter of those days were not much better, for they
let Dr. Dibdin have all their Caxtons for a "consideration."
He made a little catalogue of them, which he called "A Lincolne
Nosegaye." Eventually they were absorbed into the collection at Althorp.
The late Mr. Caspari was a "destroyer" of books. His rare collection
of early woodcuts, exhibited in 1877 at the Caxton Celebration,
had been frequently augmented by the purchase of illustrated books,
the plates of which were taken out, and mounted on Bristol boards,
to enrich his collection.
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