Five vols. bound in three. 8vo, orig. blue boards, nicely rebacked in sympathetic white paper, printed labels on spines, uncut. The Hague: S. & J. Luchtmans et al., 1824.

A fine uncut set in the original boards of the sale catalogue of the Meerman collection, “one of the most famous private libraries in Europe.”–Munby, Phillipps Studies, Vol. III, p. 26. The library was founded by Gerard Meerman (1722-71), a prominent jurist and the author of Origines Typographicae in which he proclaimed Laurent Coster the inventor of printing. Gerard’s greatest coup was to acquire the entire manuscript collection of the Collège de Clermont... More

1 p.l., 87 pp. 8vo, self-wrappers, stitched as issued. Anvers: J. Grangé, [1791].

There was an earlier François Mols sale in 1769 and I suspect the present catalogue offers material not in the earlier catalogue or, more unlikely, the unsold lots. While slight (666 lots), this catalogue is filled with really wonderful groups of book and art auction catalogues and all-too-briefly described manuscripts. Well over two-thirds of the lots are book and art auction catalogues, including many unfamiliar, famous, or rare ones.

Fine crisp copy. A contemporary note on the verso of the title-page states the auction will commence with lot 1. Priced... More

4 p.l., 219, [1] pp., one leaf with schedule of the sale. 8vo, attractive antique blue calf-backed boards, spine gilt, uncut. Paris: Silvestre, 1824.

An important sale. “Ce catalogue renferme une réunion très-nombreuse de livres imprimés par les Elzeviers; il en est de très-rares et qui étaient jusqu’alors restés inconnus aux bibliographes.”–Brunet, Dictionnaire de Bibliologie Catholique, col. 498. A large number of Motteley’s books come from the libraries of de Thou and the Comte d’Hoym.

We learn from the same source that Motteley (1778-1850), lived as a hermit, alone and isolated in a rundown apartment... More

1 p.l., 404 pp. Small 8vo, self-bound. Leipzig: [1820].

An uncommon sale catalogue, which describes in the first half (3314 lots) the library of Müller (1747-1819), philologist, teacher, and rector of the Stiftsgymnasium at Zeitz in Saxony-Anhalt. He also served as administrator of the monastery’s library at Zeitz and wrote a series of books and articles concerning the manuscripts present in the collection.

The second part of the catalogue describes another 5622 titles of early and contemporary books. It is amazing to contemplate just how many antiquarian books and manuscripts were on the market following the Napoleonic era. More

2 p.l., 162 pp. 8vo, attractive antique half-calf & marbled boards, flat spine gilt, red morocco lettering piece on spine. Paris: J.S. Merlin, 1831.

“1619 lots numéros. Collection curieuse; livres bien choisis en tout genre. Il y en a de rares.”–Gustave Brunet, Dictionnaire de Bibliologie Catholique, col. 504. The remained of Nugent de Rothe’s library was sold in Paris in 1835.

Fine copy. Rare; WorldCat does not list a copy. More

xii, [3], 250 pp.; 8 pp. Two vols. 8vo, attractive antique mottled half-calf & grey boards, spines gilt, red morocco lettering piece on spines. Paris: Veuve Tilliard et Fils, n.d. [sale: 20 Feb. 1800].

Very rare. “Ce catalogue renferme des articles précieux. M. André-Claude Patu de Mello, ancien payeur des rentes de l’hôtel-de-ville de Paris, né en 1726, est mort en 1799…M. Patu de Mello…possédoit un très beau cabinet de machines de physique et d’astronomie.”–Peignot, p. 117.

Patu de Mello had strong scientific interests and the catalogue of his library lists 1957 lots, which for the largest part... More

xxviii, 538 pp. 8vo, early 19th-cent. half-calf & patterned cloth sides, flat spine gilt, red morocco lettering piece on spine. London: [Robson, Clarke, & Edwards, 1789].

In 1788, the London booksellers James Edwards (1757-1816), and James Robson (1733-1806), bought in Venice for 6000 pounds the celebrated Pinelli library of which the excellent inventory catalogue by the custodian of the Bibliotheca Marciana, Jacopo Morelli, had appeared the previous year. They put it up for sale by means of the above catalogue, a shortened translation and adaptation of Morelli’s, by Samuel Paterson (1728-1802), another London bookseller and auctioneer. Although it was not a great success financially... More

Engraved vignette of the collector’s bookplate on half-title. 2 p.l., [4] (schedule of sale), vii, 414, 4 pp. 8vo, cont. cloth-backed marbled boards. Paris: 1838.

Pixerécourt (1773-1844), the author of more than a hundred plays, “the Shakespeare and Corneille of the Boulevards,” was one of the founders of the Société des Bibliophiles français. The sale of his library was a major event in the annals of French bibliophily. The catalogue features wonderfully detailed and original literary and bibliographical notes by Charles Nodier and Paul Lacroix, the latter having taking down some of Pixerécourt’s own dictations.

The catalogue has 2313 lots plus a final lot describing Pixerécourt’s magnificent collection on the French Revolution, which occupies pages 343-414. This sold for 3000 frs. and was divided between the Bibliothèque du Sénat and the Louvre. More

8 pp. 8vo, 19th-cent. marbled boards (joints restored), spine gilt. Paris: Poultier & Constantin, 1807.

The rare sale catalogue, fully priced in a contemporary hand, of Louis François Prault (1734-1806), ancien Imprimeur du Roi and son of the great publisher and bookseller Laurent François (1712-80). Prault’s firm printed many auction catalogues in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Because of the Constantins relationship with the Prault family, who printed almost all of their sale catalogues, either Guillaume Jean Constantin or his son, Amédée, was the expert for this sale.

The present catalogue describes Prault’s choice collection of paintings (by Greuze, Lancret, Teniers, Wijnants, van Goyen, etc.), drawings (by Titian, Caravaggio, Panini, Le Sueur, Cochin, etc.), as well as sculpture and ceramics. There is a total of 63 lots, all priced. More

1 p.l., 78, 196 pp. Small 8vo, self-bound. Leipzig: 1818.

Scarce. Rau (1744-1818), studied law and philosophy at the University of Leipzig and, after earning his doctorate, became professor of law at his alma mater and a judge. He wrote a number of notable legal works. His library occupies the first part of this catalogue and number 1521 volumes. Rau was particularly interested in book auction catalogues: lots 1391-1455 describe a number of rarities. The second part of the catalogue describes 5078 volumes of miscellaneous items, including a number of early printed books.

Very nice copy. WorldCat lists no copy outside of Germany. More

xvi, 159 pp.; 128 pp.; 64 pp. Three parts in one vol. 8vo, late 19th cent. green half-morocco & marbled boards, spine gilt. Marseilles: Rochebrun & Mazet, 1793.

The sale (or inventory) catalogue of the library of the prominent bibliographer Rive (1730-91), who, as librarian to the Duc de La Vallière from 1768 to 1780, was instrumental in the formation of what became the finest private library of the 18th century. Rive had a considerable contemporary reputation as a bibliographer but his personality, irascible and querulous, caused him to participate in many controversies, both bibliographical and political. Following his employment with the Duc, Rive became librarian... More

3 p.l., 208 pp. 8vo, mid-19th-century blue cloth over boards bound for Sir Thomas Phillipps in the cheapest fashion possible (joints with splits, cloth & title somewhat soiled), uncut. Liverpool: 1816.

Roscoe (1753-1831), historian, patron of the arts, abolitionist and M.P., formed a fine library of Italian literature and early printed books illustrating the rise and progress of the art of printing, and several important manuscripts. Following his retirement, he became a partner of a Liverpool bank; after it failed in 1816, Roscoe was obliged to sell his library to satisfy part of the claims. His friends bought a selection of Italian... More