22 leaves (including some blanks or pages ruled in ink for entries). Agenda format (315 x 100 mm.), stitched as issued, uncut. [Nuremberg]: 1598.

A fascinating document, of a type that rarely survives: the manuscript account book for the spring 1598 Leipzig fair of Hans Straub I (or the Elder, 1541-1610), the prominent Nuremberg gold- and silversmith, alderman, and son-in-law of Wenzel Jamnitzer, the best-known German goldsmith of his time. The first leaf bears Straub’s hallmark (interwined initials “HS” over an arrow pointing upward within a plain shield & also containing the inscription “No. 72”). Our manuscript sheds important light on the business relations... More about Manuscript in German, written in ink in several clerical hands on paper, entitled “Laus Deo. ...

Folding frontis., 11 plates (several folding), & numerous text illus. (including facsimiles & type specimens). [iv]-xvi, 402 pp.; 1 p.l., [403]-758, [2], clvi pp. Two vols. Large 8vo, cont. diced russia (heads of spines a tiny bit chipped), spines gilt. London: T. Cadell & W. Davies, 1814.

First edition of a reference book that has remained very useful. “This is a very valuable work to the student of the history of printing.”–Bigmore & Wyman, I, p. 345. Topics include paper, manuscripts, history and techniques of printing, bookbinding, the nature of rarity, classification systems, bibliographies, catalogues and reference books, etc.

“Horne relied largely on Peignot, but made some independent additions. He names (pp. 564-614) perhaps a hundred and fifty institutional catalogues published outside the British Isles. His references to catalogues printed in the latter part of the eighteenth century are especially valuable. Few bibliographers have mentioned catalogues of Russian and Turkish libraries and few European bibliographers have cited those issued by Harvard College (1790) and the Library Company of Philadelphia (1807). Horne’s list (pp. 614-637) of these and other foreign libraries has not been completely replaced by any later list.”–Taylor, Book Catalogues, p. 209 & see pp. 16, 118, 188, 214, & 220. More about An Introduction to the Study of Bibliography. To which is prefixed a Memoir on the Public...

2 p.l., iv, 377, [1] p. Large 8vo (250 x 170 mm.), cont. brown morocco-backed marbled boards, spine gilt, t.e.g. Paris: A. Labitte, 1879.

A special copy of the auction catalogue of Reiset’s esteemed library devoted to the history of art; this was the finest and largest collection of sale catalogues ever assembled prior to that of Baron Pichon, which was dispersed 20 years later. A contemporary hand has added all prices and many buyers’ names, including Edmond de Goncourt, Edmond J. de Rothschild, Georges Duplessis, Paul Demidoff, Baron Pichon, and Georges Rapilly. This catalogue describes 3123 lots of books, of which the... More about Catalogue des Livres sur les Arts tous bien reliés composant la Bibliothèque de M. R***[in...

4 p.l., 223, [1] pp. 8vo, cont. polished mottled calf, spine nicely gilt, red morocco lettering piece on spine. Bern: “In Verlag der neuen Buchhandlung,” 1772.

First edition of one of Haller’s works, written late in life as he became more and more conservative, defending religion against the ideas of the Enlightenment.

A very fine copy. More about Briefe über die wichtigsten Wahrheiten der Offenbarung

Japan: ca. 1912-80.

A large and impressive ensemble of Japanese photographic postcards depicting kabuki actors. Photographic postcards effectively replaced ukiyo-e woodblock prints which were enormously popular through 1900. This collection documents the rise and fall of great actors, the evolution of costume styles, the various sets and decorations employed on stage, as well as the proliferation of photographic postcards as mementos and collectible memorabilia. Offered with this collection is a series of vernacular photographic prints of actors, many from the early 20th century.

Japan’s postal system was established in 1870 as part of many Meiji era reforms to modernize the country... More about A vast collection of ca. 2500 photographic postcards (ehagaki) of kabuki actors in costume, along...

Brush & ink and colors. Scroll (284 x 13,800 mm.), fine front endpaper with silk & gold. [Japan: late Edo].

A very beautiful and accomplished scroll, painted by Goshun (or Gekki) Matsumura (1752-1811), founder of the Shijo school of painting, “which combined elements of shaseiga (‘life-drawing painting’), developed by Maruyama Okyo, and Bunjinga (‘literati painting’), practised by his early mentor Yosa Buson…The name Shijo school reflects the location of Goshun’s painting studio on Shijo (fourth) street in Kyoto.”–Oxford Art online. As a painter, Matsumura had a mastery of the use of space while maintaining complete control of the brush.

Our scroll, which has Matsumura’s characteristic seal of his first name at the beginning, depicts the famous Japanese folklore story of Momotaro (“Peach Boy”), which first appeared in the late Muromachi period (1392-1573). It was passed down orally until the Edo period, when it became portrayed in picture scrolls and, later, in illustrated printed books. By the Meiji period, the story was known to every Japanese child and was one of the five most beloved folk tales throughout Japan. During World War II, Momotaro was used in wartime propaganda. More about Scroll on paper depicting the story of “Momotaro” [“The Tale of Peach Boy”

Fine frontispiece at beginning & “afterpiece” scene at end. Scroll (210 x 9560 mm.), written in ink, color, gold, & silver on indigo-dyed paper. [Japan]: at end (in trans.): “copied on 28th April 1782 by [name impossible to determine as the characters can be read in multiple ways].”

This devotional scroll contains a selection of texts — known as the Gokito-kyo Lotus Sutra — taken from the much larger Lotus Sutra, one of the most influential scriptures of the Mahayana Buddhism. It is highly regarded in a number of Asian countries, including China, Korea, and Japan, where it has been traditionally practiced. The Gokito-kyo Lotus... More about Manuscript sutra scroll on indigo-dyed paper of the “Gokito-kyo Hokkekyo” (“The Gokito-kyo...

Many fine brush & color and black & white paintings in the text. 26; 20; 27; 17; 32 folding leaves of mica paper. Five vols. 8vo (240 x 172 mm.), orig. finely decorated wrappers, each set of endpapers finely painted with botanical landscapes, orig. title labels on upper covers in manuscript, new stitching. [Japan: mid-Edo].

A beautiful and remarkable luxury manuscript, created on mica paper and richly illustrated in fine colors and brush, describing and depicting all the elements of the costumes for the emperor, the emperor “emeritus,” the crown prince, the prince’s son, male aristocrats, retainers, and guards of the court. Many of the costumes date from the... More about Illustrated manuscript on fine mica paper, entitled “Shozoku shuyo sho” [“Costumes of the...

1 p.l., 203 pp. 8vo, orig. wrappers (some foxing throughout). Freiburg im Breisgau: Zehnder, [1794 or -95].

First edition. Censorship in Austria in the second half of the 18th century was an “on or off” matter. During the reign of the liberal Joseph II (1780-92), censorship was rather relaxed. But during the reigns of Leopold II (1790-92) and Francis II (1792-1835), censorship practices again tightened in reaction to the revolutionary events in France.

This is a list of recently published “forbidden” books, for the most part issued between 1783 to 1794. There were four major groups of forbidden titles: pornographic French “gallant”... More about Katalog. Der von 1783. bis 1794. in Oesterreich von der hochlöblichen...

Folio (295 x 205 mm.), attractive antique marbled boards. Spain: ca. 1737.

An unrecorded manuscript addition to an edict issued by Philip V in 1737, renewing a 1699 Spanish ban on foreign silk imports. At this time, Spain had a robust silk industry, centered in cities such as Sevilla and Valencia. This documents a survey of Spain’s silk production in the 1730s and predicts the benefits that will come with augmented isolationist economic policy.

Highly legible and in fine condition. Tightly trimmed margins and occasionally touching text. More about Manuscript on paper entitled “Adicion,” containing an edict by Philip V. 8 unnumbered leaves

126 pp. 8vo (195 x 130 mm.), late 19th-cent. blue sheep-backed marbled boards, spine gilt. Paris: Lebrun, 1788.

A rare auction catalogue, priced throughout in a contemporary hand, of a formidable collection of paintings. Although Lugt attributes this to Montesquiou (1739-98), it seems that most of the lots did not belong to him. Jean Baptiste Pierre Lebrun (1748-1813), this sale’s expert, was known to add his inventory and lesser consignments to prestigious sales for which he was responsible. Montesquiou, member of the Académie Française and a general, was close to many of the physiocrats.

The present catalogue describes 276 lots of paintings by artists such as Giulio Romano, Guercino, Tintoretto, Veronese, Albani, Velazquez, Panini, J. Brueghel the Elder, Bril, Rembrandt, Brauwer, Hals, Teniers, Rubens, A. van Dyck, J. Ruysdael, Potter, Jordaens, A. & I. van Ostade, Metsu, Wynants, Wouwerman, C. Netscher, Miel, N. Berghem, Lairesse, Maes, J. Steen, Lancret, Weenix, Bega, Le Nain, Vouet, G. Poussin, S. Bourdon, Watteau, Coypel, C. Vanloo, F. Boucher, Natoire, Lagrenée aîné & jeune, H. Robert, Greuze, Fragonard, Norblin, etc., etc. The remaining lots consist of ceramics, sculpture, Japanese lacquer and porcelain, ornate pieces of furniture, chandeliers, clocks, and girandoles (for a grand total of 417 lots). The Dutch and Flemish paintings sold for extremely high prices. The annotations also show which lots were bought-in. More about Catalogue d’une très-belle Collection de Tableaux, d’Italie, de Flandres, de Hollande, et de...

44 pp. Small 4to (185 x 130 mm.), late 19th-cent. brown half-morocco signed “Knecht,” spine gilt. Paris: Lebrun, 1782.

An important and rare sale catalogue, fully priced throughout and with nearly all buyers’ names in a contemporary hand. This was the third and final portion of Nogaret’s collection to be sold during his lifetime (1st: Lugt 2791; 2nd: 3153); his estate sale in 1807 (Lugt 7210) offered the inferior leftovers. In the avertissement, Lebrun, this auction’s expert, declares that this catalogue offers an unparalleled selection of Italian paintings.

“[Joseph Hyacinthe François de Paule de Rigaud, comte de] Vaudreuil, whom Alexandre de Tilly remembered as the most... More about Catalogue d’une belle Collection de Tableaux, des Ecoles d’Italie, de Flandre, de Hollande,...