James Edwards (bookseller)
James Edwards | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1757 England |
| Died | 1816 |
| Occupation(s) | Bookseller, bibliographer |
| Known for | Prominent English bookseller and bibliographer; owner of Edwards & Sons in Pall Mall, London; collector of rare manuscripts such as the Bedford Missal |
James Edwards (1757–1816) was a prominent English bookseller and bibliographer.
Early life and family
Born as the eldest son to William Edwards (1720–1808) of Halifax, James Edwards entered the book trade alongside his younger brother John when their father founded Edwards & Sons in Pall Mall, London in 1784. Following John's premature passing, James maintained sole control of the enterprise. Another sibling, Thomas (d. 1834), operated as a bookseller in Halifax, while their brother Richard served in a governmental capacity on Minorca.
Bookseller
Edwards & Sons managed numerous prestigious library auctions. Among these were the sales of collections from N. Wilson of Pontefract and H. Bradshaw of Maple Hall, Cheshire in 1784, as well as Dr. Peter Mainwaring's assemblage in 1787. Edwards undertook frequent trips across Europe to source rare items; notably, in 1788 he partnered with bookseller James Robson in Venice to acquire the Pinelli library, which was subsequently auctioned in London the following year. Other major sales included libraries belonging to Salichetti of Rome and Zanetti of Venice (1790), along with that of Paris de Meyzieu (1791).
During the 1786 Duchess of Portland sale, Edwards secured the Bedford Missal (also known as the Bedford Hours), an illuminated manuscript now preserved at the British Library. This work was examined by antiquarian Richard Gough in his 1794 publication dedicated to Edwards. The bibliophile Thomas Frognall Dibdin strongly endorsed obtaining Edwards's auction catalogues, particularly that issued in 1794.
Later life
By approximately 1804, having accumulated substantial wealth, Edwards retired to a rural estate near Old Verulam, bringing with him prized items including the Bedford Missal. His professional legacy was carried on by Robert Harding Evans. On 10 September 1805, he wed Katharine, daughter of Rev. Edward Bromhead, rector of Reepham, and acquired a manor-house at Harrow, historically associated with archbishops of Canterbury. The estate’s gardens contained an alcove mentioned by Dibdin in his bibliomania dialogues.
Edwards passed away at Harrow on 2 January 1816 at age fifty-nine, survived by five children and his widow, who later married Rev. Thomas Butt of Kinnersley, Shropshire. His final instruction was for his coffin to be fashioned from library shelves. A memorial crafted by sculptor Peter Turnerelli is located within Harrow Church.
Legacy
Dibdin described Edwards as "Rinaldo, the wealthy, the fortunate, and the heroic." Portions of his book collection were auctioned by Christie between 25 and 28 April 1804. The remaining 830 lots were sold by Evans from 5 to 10 April 1815, realizing £8,467.10s.