Shelfmark
MS 413
Author
Title
Collection of manuscripts by and relating to Thomas Gray, including autograph notes on his travels, letters, memoirs of Gray, and translations of his works. manuscript.
Publication, distribution, etc.
England, between 1734 and 1869.
Physical description
2 volumes : paper ; 38 x 29 cm.
Note
Title devised by cataloguer.
Note
These two volumes have been bound as a five volume set, three of which are an extra-illustrated copy of the works of Thomas Gray (London, 1814).
Note
Place and dates of production taken from internal evidence.
Note
First volume bears manuscript title-page: Unpublished autograph notes by Thomas Gray of his travels in France, Italy and Scotland, 1738-1764, illustrated. Spine title: Gray's works: Unpublished autograph notes of his travels.
Note
The travel notes include Gray's visits to the continent as a young man, and cover Amiens, Paris, Dijon, Dauphiné and Geneva, Florence, Naples, and Pozzuoli. Also included is a journey into Scotland made by Gray in 1764. These notes were published in full in Duncan Tovey's 'Gray and his friends' (Cambridge, 1890). First volume also includes recollections of Gray by Norton Nicholls. These have also been printed. The manuscript material is interspersed with many engraved and lithographed illustrations. 165 foliated leaves.
Note
Second volume has no title page. Spine title: Gray's works: Bentley's designs; autograph letters; versions of Elegy. Contains largely printed material, with two autograph letters at the beginning: 1st letter from John Mitford (1781-1859) to Rev. M. Dyce of Welbeck Street, London, on his transcription of Gray's manuscripts, dated 1828 February 13. 2nd letter from Thomas Gray to James Dodsley on the title of Robert Bentley's designs for his poems, from Cambridge, circa 1753 February 12.
Note
The print material has been catalogued as separate bibliographical items at Sa1.6.13(01) to Sa1.6.13(06).
Provenance
Inscription on title-page of volume 1 of the set: 'From the editor', with Dawson Turner's initials beneath. Card catalogue record states: 'This copy of the Mathias edition was presented by the editor to Dawson Turner'. Dawson Turner (1775-1858) added the Gray letters, the Norton Nicholls account of Thomas Gray, and the travel notes. Sold at the sale of Taylor's books, 1859, lot 219.
Provenance
Inscription on flyleaf: "John Dillon 1863". Dillon added some of the manuscript introductions and many engravings to the volumes. Sold by him at auction, Sotheby's June 1869.
Provenance
Armorial bookplate of Percy Morris (1867-1927), at Eton College 1881-1884. Given to Eton College Library by Morris in 1905. Percy Morris inherited the volumes from his father John Morris (1824-1905).
Provenance
Book-label of Eton College Library.
Binding
19th century half brown morocco; blue marbled paper covered boards; five raised bands; spine title: "Gray's works".
Subject
Subject
Poets, English Correspondence 18th century.
Subject
English language Versification.
Subject
Poets, English 18th century Correspondence.
Subject
Italy Description and travel Early works to 1800.
Subject
France Description and travel Early works to 1800.
Added entry--name
Mason, William, 1724 - 1797 associated name.
Added entry--name
Added entry--name
Nicholls, Norton, 1741? - 1809 associated name.
Added entry--name
Walpole, Horace, 1717 - 1797 associated name.
Added entry--name
Dillon, John former owner.
Added entry--name
Turner, Dawson, 1775 - 1858 former owner.
Added entry--name
Morris, Percy former owner.
Added entry--name
Added entry--name
Added entry--place
England London.
Language code
dcrmmss
Identifier
B49716