Catalogue des Livres de la Bibliotheque de la Maison professe des ci-devant soi-disans Jesuites.
xx (i.e. xxiv), [2], 448, 59 pp. 8vo, cont. mottled calf, spine nicely gilt, red morocco lettering piece on spine. Paris: Pissot & Gogue, 1763.
An important sale catalogue of the library of the Maison Professe des Jesuites of Paris, founded in 1580. This library was comprised of many donations, the most notable being that of Pierre Daniel Huet (1630-1721), bishop of Avranches and scholar. Huet, whose scholarship was very well-known, made considerable scientific researches as well as classical studies; he edited the famous Delphin series of the Latin classics in about sixty volumes. Huet formed a great library of books and MSS. which he donated to this Jesuit house upon his death.
When the Jesuits were expelled from France in 1762, the entire library of the house was offered for sale by auction. However, Huet’s books were withdrawn before the sale due to the terms of his donation and were given by his heir to the Royal Library in 1765.
This was one of the best and most complete Jesuit libraries in France. It numbered 30,000 volumes in 1754 (this sale catalogue has 7252 lots). It must be noted that this catalogue gives us the best idea of the contents of Huet’s rich collection.
Fine and handsome copy. This copy is unusually complete: it has the two unnumbered pages following the preliminary leaves (“Livres en Feuilles”) and the 59-page author index. Another six leaves, which are not present in most copies, listing the withdrawn books, is not found in this copy.
❧ Franklin, Les Anciennes Bibliothèques de Paris, pp. 269-77–“une collection très-complète et très-bien choisie.” Grolier Club, Printed Catalogues of French Book Auctions…1643-1830, 181. Peignot, p. 106. Taylor, Book Catalogues, p. 64.
Price: $3,000.00
Item ID: 1928
