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The Times
Thursday June 28 1883
The Towneley Manuscripts
The sale of the important collection of manuscripts belonging to the Towneley family, which have for many years been preserved, with the large library recently sold, at Towneley-hall, in Lancashire, was commenced yesterday at the rooms of Messrs. Sotheby, Wilkinson, and Hodge, attracting a very full attendance. The collection has long been well known to historical students of the ancient records relating to the old county families of Yorkshire and Lancashire, as Christopher Towneley, who lived in the reigns of Charles I. and II., made transcripts of manuscripts which are in many cases the only records of originals, now either lost or destroyed for ever. In making those transcripts from manuscripts preserved in the muniment rooms of old families to which he had access, this devoted student of genealogies has added many valuable notes of his own, gathered from his friends and correspondents, among whom were Sir W. Dugdale and the members of the Herald's College. There are some very fine illuminated manuscripts in the sale, but one of special interest from its high artistic merit was the splendid series of six large folio miniatures by the famous Giulio Clovio, which ornamented a manuscript on vellum of the Life of christ. These magnificent examples of the art were executed for Alexander, Cardinal Farnese, and presented to Pope Paul III. The full-page paintings vary in size slightly from 18in. by 11 1/2in. to 19in. by 12 1/2 in., and are most elaborately ornamented with borders historiated and miniatures of the Evangelists, and four superb headings with figures for institutions, being throughout brightened with gold, and all in the most perfect state of preservation. The subjects of the pictures are - "The Adoration of the Shepherd," "The Sermon on the Mount," "St. Peter holding the Keys of heaven given by Christ," "The Resurrection," "The Descent of the Holy Ghost," and "The Day of Judgement." When this beautiful work of Giulio Clovio was put up, a question was put to the auctioneer, Mr. Wilkinson, replied he could give no answer, and it must be left to those who proposed to purchase it to judge for themselves as to the authenticity of so beautiful a work of art. Mr. Quaritch then said that opinions had been expressed that it was not the work of Giulio Clovio; but notwithstanding this, he at once made the first bidding of £250, at which Mr. Ellis met him with one of £500, after which Mr. Quaritch remained silent while the biddings rose by 50's, made alternately from the auctioneer on the part of the reserve and Mr. Ellis, who was then the only bidder, up to £1,500 (Ellis), when Mr. Quaritch again entered the contest with £1,550, which went on with advances from his opponents till £2,000 was bid on the part of the reserve, and then Mr. Quaritch surpassed this with his bid of £2,050, at which the hammer fell. It was generally concluded that this most beautiful example of the miniaturist's art of the 16th century had been purchased for the British museum, but we have the best authority for saying that the price now paid for it exceeded the commission held by Mr. Quaritch for the British museum by more than £1,000, and consequently it remains at present in the hands of the purchaser. No very high prices were realized for the other manuscripts, and the total of the first day's sale amounted to £2, 748.
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Mel
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