A fine set, compiled by Johann Michael Francke (1717-75); this is an extraordinarily rare and important library catalogue. Ebert has described this as an “unsurpassed masterpiece” and Bogeng called it “ the best catalogue of a German eighteenth century private library.”

“This catalogue describes the library (42,000 volumes) of Count Heinrich von Bünau, the Saxon statesman and historian (1697-1762). Although it remained unfinished, it is a model of its kind. Three sections were completed, comprising bibliography, ‘historia literaria,’ ancient authors, universal history, geography, genealogy, heraldry, chronology, and writers on ecclesiastical history. All the same, it was extremely useful. Independent publications, single articles in periodicals, and even bibliographical references to books on special subjects not contained in the library were included. The great J.J. Winckelmann, who was the Count’s secretary and librarian from 1748 to 1754, may have had some share in the cataloguing. The bibliographical system of Francke, on which his catalogue is based, was much appreciated. He later became librarian of the Elector’s library at Dresden.”–Grolier Club, Bibliography, 104.

Bünau formed his library as an aid to his studies of German history, resulting in his “German Imperial History” (1728-43), which made him one of the founders of modern German historiography. He devised for his library a bibliographical system which Francke (1717-1775) applied to his catalogue.

Nice set from the library of His Serene Highness Prince Fürstenberg at Donaueschingen. Minor foxing.

❧ Peignot, p. 86–“Cet excellent catalogue…c’est un des monuments bibliographiques les plus curieux. Les titres des livres y sont parfaitement détaillées.” Taylor, Book Catalogues, pp. 114, 119, 127, 182, 186, 197, 207, 227, 228, & 234.