NOTICE.

THE Collection of which the following pages form a Catalogue, was at once the pride, the pleasure, and the occupation of its late venerable owner for upwards of half a century, and is of so varied and interesting a character as to warrant some few remarks upon its leading specialties.

The long Index of Subjects which is appended, renders a minute analysis unnecessary. First in point of completeness as a Series, are the "Emblems," which are sufficiently numerous to invite the attention of some of our Public Libraries; and it is hoped some Institution will secure them as a nucleus for a more perfect Collection. They should be regarded as something more than a mere collection of Pictures, for assuredly they convey much. poignant satire, and many political pasquinades which the then Licensers of the Press would have suppressed as prose, but which escaped their notice disguised as the Fine Arts.

The most important and valuable department, however, is that of Illustrated Books, by which are meant books to which have been added Plates not originally published with the works. They are both numerous and beautiful; and as many of them were illustrated by Mr. Allan himself, they possess special interest for his friends. Most prominent among them are Dr. Francis's and Irving's Knickerbocker's New York, Dibdin's Bibliomania, Burnet's Own Times, Life of Sir H. Davy, Mary Queen of Scots, together with the various editions of Burns, Byron, Campbell, Ramsay, and other of the Standard Poets; Maberly's Print Collector, Wilson's Catalogue, etc.

Under the term Fine Arts, in the Index, many books are included which are merely illustrated, and, in a strict classification, would not be so placed.

Wood Engraving was a subject in which Mr. Allan took much interest, and his Illustrated Copies of Chatto or Jackson sufficiently indicate his taste.