xxxvi, 366 pp., one leaf (but lacking, as is often the case, the 12-page schedule of sale & the 80-page author index). 8vo, cont. speckled calf (two corners a bit worn, joints a little cracked but strong), flat spine gilt, red morocco lettering piece on spine. Paris: Gogué & Née de la Rochelle, 1785.

The rare sale catalogue of the great library of books and early manuscripts, many illuminated, founded by Henri François d’Aguesseau (1668-1751), Chancellor of France, a man of great learning. According to the preface of the catalogue he had acquired the collection of the poet Florent Chrestien... More

26 pp. 8vo (208 x 136 mm.), orig. stitching with traces of scotch tape, leaves uncut. Paris: Félix & Regnault-Delalande, 1819.

A scarce sale catalogue of drawings and prints; we locate only one copy in North America. Alibert, a print dealer, died in 1803, and his shop’s stock was dissolved by Regnault-Delalande the same year (Lugt 6612); the Getty Provenance Index entry suggests that this auction consisted of property belonging to an heir of Alibert.

144 lots total, including drawings (by Boissieu, Lantara, M. S. Mérian, Palmieri, etc.), and a substantial group of Old Master and contemporary prints.

Fine copy... More

24 pp. 8vo (202 x 127 mm.), disbound, orig. stitching strengthened with scotch tape. Paris: Delaroche & Gendron, 1814.

A scarce catalogue with nearly all prices provided in contemporary manuscript. 81 lots of paintings in total, including the works of Cuyp, van Dyck, Giordano, I. van Ostade, Potter, Raphael, Rubens, D. Teniers, J. Weenix, Wouwerman, etc.

Good copy, with a half-title fashioned in manuscript. The copy at the Frick has only a few prices recorded. Stamp of the Bibliothèque Heim on manuscript half-title.

❧ Lugt 8585. More

2 p.l., viii, 236 pp. 8vo, attractive antique calf, double gilt fillet round sides, flat spine gilt, uncut. Paris: veuve Tilliard et Fils, 1805.

The rare sale catalogue of the library, rich in oriental books and manuscripts, of Anquetil-Duperron (1731-1805), French orientalist and brother of the historian Pierre Anquetil. Abraham Hyacinthe had a fascinating early life: while unsuccessfully studying for the priesthood in Paris and Utrecht, he developed a passion for Hebrew, Arabic, Persian and other languages of the East. He travelled to India as a private soldier in 1754 in order to search for the works of Zoroaster. Granted... More

47 pp. Small 8vo (169 x 102 mm.), modern marbled boards, gilt title on spine. [Paris: 1747].

A scarce and early auction catalogue dispersing a substantial collection of paintings belonging to a “Baron de Banckheim,” possibly a fictitious provenance. We also do not know the expert in charge of this sale, but we do see that they borrowed heavily from the celebrated catalogues of the leading art dealer of the time, Edme François Gersaint (1694-1750). The foremost scholar on Gersaint, Guillaume Glorieux, writes that a number of catalogues of this period plagiarized the authoritative biographies of artists composed by Gersaint.

... More

Woodcut vignette on title. 24 pp. 8vo (200 x 125 mm.), late 19th-century stiff marbled boards (spine a little rubbed), brown morocco lettering-piece on spine. Paris: C. Ballard, 1758.

A rare early sale catalogue of drawings and prints compiled by Basan (1723-97), one of the leading experts of the mid-18th century. Divided by vacation, the catalogue concisely describes 199 group lots, some quite large. Each section concludes with a portefeuille.

Very good copy. Engraved bookplate of G[eorges] P[annier] (1853-1944), the Parisian art dealer and collector, and stamp of the Bibliothèque Heim on verso of title. Contemporary manuscript correction on p.... More

96 pp. Small 8vo, attractive antique calf-backed paste paper boards, spine gilt, red morocco lettering piece on spine.Paris: Bénard, 1816.

The rare sale catalogue of this impressive varied auction. Antoine François Piéri Bénard (fl. 1810-40), prominent art dealer and for a time marchand de la Bibliothèque du Roi, advised Eugène Dutuit on his art collecting. In the present catalogue, he thoroughly describes 504 lots. Pages 60-77, numbered separately, contain meticulously detailed and considerable group lots. These lots consist of the works of van Dyck, Hollar, Hondius, de Jode, Pontius (almost three full pages), and Vorsterman. Lots 418-75 details a selection... More

1 p.l., xiii, [1], 40 pp. 8vo (200 x 128 mm.), cont. blue paper wrappers, stitched as issued & strengthened with clear tape. Paris: Delaplace-Gérardin & Regnault-Delalande, 1822.

The very scarce sale catalogue detailing the sizable and choice collection of a celebrated engraver. Bervic (1756-1822), best known for his skillful works after Callet, J. B. Regnault, Guido Reni, and Raphael, studied under Le Prince, as well as Wille, who considered him one of his most promising students. A clerical error is the reason for being given the name Balvay, instead of, correctly, Bervic. “Bervic was greatly respected and honoured in... More

24 pp. 8vo (198 x 125 mm.), modern aubergine cloth, title on upper cover. Paris: Félix & Regnault-Delalande, 1819.

A very scarce auction catalogue marking the dissolution of Pierre Blaizot’s inventory; WorldCat records no copy in North America. Despite the lengthy interval between his death and this sale, we can identify the seller as Pierre Blaizot (1740-1808) due to the offerings in the present catalogue — prints, maps, and luxury paper — that match the description of his business on the BnF Data site. Blaizot’s page on the site notes that he was orphaned at age 9, but managed to... More

xvi, 336 pp. 8vo, orig. wrappers, uncut. Paris: Bleuet fils, 1796.

The very rare first issue of the sale catalogue of the library of “Citoyen” Blondel. This was a notable library of 2781 lots (including thirty lots of paintings and prints) and was particularly rich in botany and other areas of natural history and belles-lettres. Most of the books are 18th century.

The sale was postponed for reasons unknown and the catalogue was reissued in the following year with “1797 “ in the imprint.

Very fine copy in original state.

❧ Grolier Club, Printed Catalogues of French Book Auctions...1643-1830, 372... More

99 pp. 8vo, attractive antique calf-backed paste-paper boards, spine gilt, red morocco lettering-piece on spine. Paris: Joullain, 1778.

The uncommon sale catalogue, fully priced throughout, of a noteworthy collection, devoted primarily to Italian art and sculpture. Bourlat de Montredon (?-1777), was an influential amateur and collector who resided in Constantinople for forty years.

The catalogue thoroughly describes 695 lots, many of which are composed of numerous items. Lots 579-671 are Bourlat de Montredon’s impressive group of books of prints, mostly focused on the architecture and decorative arts of Italy, including a number of works by Piranesi. The descriptions offer occasional... More

Engraved headpiece. 1 p.l., x, 552 pp. 8vo, cont. mottled sheep (some rubbing & minor wear), spine gilt, red morocco lettering piece on spine. Paris: G. Martin et al., 1753.

The posthumously issued inventory catalogue — prepared for an en bloc sale — of the famous collection formed by Claude Gros de Boze (1680-1753), the renowned academician and savant. It was an excellent library, notable for its block books and incunabula, including a Gutenberg Bible (lot 18); this catalogue provides the best idea of its contents. Following the publication of the catalogue, two collectors — Boutin and Cotte — purchased... More