Response from David Wells concerning book in question.
Good question, but here is the reason. In the auction instructions is this section: Perhaps you have books that are candidates either for the collection or for a future silent auction. Either is of great value to your Archives and would be gratefully received. This year we have been fortunate that some supporters have offered their collections as part of this sale with a portion of the proceeds benefiting The Archives.
This means we sell books and art on behalf of some others, a rare book dealer and several individuals and estates, and we earn a commission. They set the price, not us, for those items. This is the case for the Latham you cite. It is not our book to keep.
Now, as to why it is unique, I don't know and don't think the dealer knows why there is only one. Maybe only one was printed or maybe all other copies have vanished. At any rate, another copy is not owned by any other library or cited in any bibliographical union list or catalog. Hence the price!
Since it hasn't sold yet, perhaps one day it will come to the Archives. Wouldn't that be sweet!
Best wishes,
Dave
David Wells | Administrator
The Peregrine Fund | The Archives of Falconry
5668 W. Flying Hawk Lane
Boise, ID 83709
