20 pp. 8vo (198 x 125 mm.), modern aubergine cloth (head of spine a little worn), title on upper cover. Paris: Félix & Regnault-Delalande, 1822.

An extremely rare auction catalogue inventorying the collection of an obscure painter active at the turn of the century. A contemporary annotator has written in the surname for this anonymous sale on the title-page, corroborating Lugt’s attribution. An 1817 almanac of Paris records a painter with the same surname working at rue de Rohan, 6. Viglianis also exhibited a landscape at the 1814 Salon — no. 948 in the exhibition livret.

184 lots, consisting primarily of prints (lots 1-132) by artists such as Bartolozzi, Bervic, Bloemaert, Cochin, Le Bas, Desnoyers, Earlom, Green, Ingouf, Massard, Morghen, Strange, Wille, Woollett, etc. We then find original engraved plates by a number of contemporary artists. The final section of drawings includes the work of Bruandet, S. Gessner, H. Robert, and “Joseph Pascal Viglianis,” presumably the seller. With the list of vacations on the final page. More

16 pp. 8vo (218 x 138 mm.), modern cream cloth-backed marbled boards, title on spine. Paris: Félix & Regnault-Delalande, 1817.

An extremely rare auction catalogue of prints, drawings, engraved plates, and books; WorldCat locates only the BnF copy. Regnault-Delalande (1762-1824) presided over more than 300 auctions and was the most prolific expert of the period.

107 lots, including prints by Audran, Bartolozzi, Edelinck, Earlom, Flippart, Morghen, Woollett, etc. The books and suites of prints consist of many of the famous and beautifully illustrated art historical works of the time, along with travel and archaeological works. More

Illus. throughout (four in color). 39, [1] p. Small 8vo (151 x 106 mm.), orig. printed stiff wrappers, staple-bound. [From colophon]: La Rochelle: [1987].

A very rare catalogue for an exhibition held 20 November 1987-3 January 1988 at the Maison de la Culture de la Rochelle et du Centre-Ouest. The exhibition consisted of pieces from Boltanski’s earlier work which are pictures taken by Annette Messager, as well as photographs of a 1987 performance of choreography conceived by Boltanski and Dominique Bagouet.

In near fine condition. WorldCat records only one copy in North America. More

164 stories in six series, bound in 18 vols. Small 8vo, orig. wrappers, new stitching. [China]: Bian shan lou cang ban, 1806.

An early edition of Tang Dynasty (618-907) fiction, containing 164 stories, some of which are concerned with gastronomy, medicine, calligraphy, and tea. Others concern extraordinary events and strange spirits.

Nice set. Scarce. More

49 vols. Large 8vo, orig. wrappers, block-printed title labels in Chinese & Manchu on upper covers, new stitching. [Beijing: Wu ying dian, 1771].

An important edition, this is the revised and enlarged version of the Manchu–Chinese dictionary first published by Emperor Kangxi in 1708. Our edition was compiled under the supervision of Fuheng (1720-70), a younger brother of the Empress and trusted brother-in-law of Emperor Qianlong.

For Kangxi’s grandson, Emperor Qianlong, “the most crucial element of Manchu identity was language…Hong Taiji’s warning of the dire consequences that would follow if the Manchus’ native tongue were allowed to decline is another sign that the... More

80 pp. 8vo (216 x 135 mm.), early 20th-cent. cloth-backed marbled boards & orig. printed wrappers mounted on stubs, gilt title on spine. Paris: Bonnefons Delavialle, Ch. Paillet; London: Treuttel & Wurtz, Jarman; Amsterdam: Dufour & De la Chaux; Brussels: Danot; Berlin: Logier & Simon Schropp; Vienna: Schabacher, [1826].

A fascinating and rare auction catalogue of an extensive and influential collection of Asian artifacts belonging to a “F. Sallé,” with many contemporary pencil annotations in the margins. We have been unable to ascertain his first name, but Sallé appears in numerous early 19th-century Parisian auction catalogues as the commissaire-priseur.

This was the greatest collection of Chinese materials after that of the renowned sinophile Henri Léonard Jean Baptiste Bertin (1720-92), powerful ministre d’Etat under Louis XV and XVI. Most of Bertin’s collection was dispersed in 1792 without a catalogue; in 1815, a catalogued auction (Lugt 8637) was held to sell off the final portion of the collection. More

43 parts in 16 vols. 8vo, orig. wrappers, new stitching. [China]: Zhan yi tang, Prefaces dated 1790 & 1791.

First edition. Zhao (1727-1814), “was an important poet and historian from Yanghu. He was born poor and supported himself at first as a private tutor. In 1761 he passed the imperial examination and in a long career served in many official capacities. Upon being appointed the prefect of Zhenan, Guanzi province, in 1766, he showed himself to be a reformer, dedicated to helping the common people. From 1784 to 1786 he became the director of the Anting Academy in Yangzhou. In addition to writing a collection... More

One double-page woodcut map. 56; 60 folding leaves. Two vols. 8vo, orig. wrappers, new stitching. [China]: Wei jing tang, Preface dated 1814.

An early, variorum edition (1st ed.: 1777) of this great classic, the Xiyu wenjianlu. “The Manchu official Qishiyi, in [the present work], offers a frontiersman’s view of the conquest quite different from that of the imperial center. Qishiyi, who earned his jinshi degree in 1754, served as a low-ranking official in charge of grain supply in Turkestan. He narrates vividly the struggle for succession to the Zunghar Khanate after Galdan Tseren’s death, describes the states bordering the Qing in Central Eurasia... More

Black & white illus. throughout. 38 unnumbered pages (incl. inside of upper & lower wrappers). 4to (229 x 171 mm.), orig. green printed wrappers (spine sunned), staple-bound. Stuttgart, London & Reykjavik: 1972.

A very rare and early catalogue of artists’ books distributed and published by Hansjörg Mayer. It features many of the works Mayer created in partnership with Dieter Roth, along with books by Richard Hamilton, Tom Phillips, Emmett Williams, Hase Otto, Eduardo Paolozzi, Ludwig Harig, Stefan Wewerka, etc. Nearly all of these items are illustrated with photographs.

“A printer, art teacher and publisher living in London, Hansjörg Mayer’s typographical experiments and publications in his edition... More

41 hand-cut leaves (incl. upper cover). Small 4to (130 x 147 mm.), orig. printed covers, “long stitch through slotted wrapper cover” sewing. [Rochester, NY]: Feb. 1984.

A scarce example of one of Smith’s “no-picture books,” printed in an edition of 100 copies, bound and signed by Smith. Here the core of the book is a continuous circle and graduated circular hole through the entire work. The hole in each leaf was formed by a blade attached to a compass. This book was part of Smith’s effort to create affordable hand-bound works in larger editions, “which could be purchased by anyone, even by students —... More

Woodcut royal coat-of-arms on title & three woodcut floor plans. 51, [1] pp. Small 8vo (155 x 102 mm.), 18th-cent. paste-paper boards (spine a little rubbed), red calf lettering-piece on spine, spine gilt, shelf mark at tail of spine. Paris: J. Chardon, 1715.

[bound with]:

(AMSTERDAM). [Drop-title]: Description de l’Hotel de ville d’Amsterdam, avec les Explications de tous les Emblemes, Figures, Tableaux, Statues &c. qui se trouvent au-dehors, & au-dedans de ce Batiment. Four finely engraved folding plates. 108 pp. Small 8vo. N.p.: n.d. More

38 pp. 8vo (205 x 132 mm.), cont. pink upper wrapper bound in late 19th-cent. maroon sheep-backed paste-paper boards, spine gilt. Paris: Bonnefons de la Vialle & Henry, 1817.

A very rare sale catalogue of paintings owned by Marie Antoine Didot (d. 1835), better known as Didot de Saint-Marc. A member of the printing and publishing dynasty, he benefitted from the family’s wealth, and was more concerned with collecting pictures. Nearly all prices have been recorded in pencil by a contemporary annotator in the margins, as well as on the upper wrapper which is covered in notes and several names, such as Senave, Mallet, and... More