[MANUSCRIPT LIBRARY CATALOGUE, FRANCE, ca. 1780s]

[Anonymous French Book Collector]

Verlag: France, 1781

Manuscript on paper. 8vo. [16] pp. (including 2 blank pages), with handwriting almost entirely filling 13 pages. Stitched (recent?), evidence of two old folds, minor toning and soiling but overall in very good antiquarian condition. DIMINUTIVE AND CURIOUS MANUSCRIPT LIBRARY CATALOGUE OF VOYAGES AND HISTORY, NO DOUBT WRITTEN BY A FRENCH ANTIQUARIAN (note the compiler's almost unwavering spelling of "Voiages" (sic). The entries are classified as belonging to just two types of books: Voyages and "Histoire," the latter being very broad in scope -- as commonly among early French library catalogues. For instance, classified as "Histoire" is Hirzel's "Le Socrate rustique"; unusually, the complete imprint is recorded here (Zurich, Heideggeur, 1764), as is the size (12mo); most entries are more brief. Listed also are works by Sessa, "celebre mathematicien indien" who "invented Chess," and Ardschir, who "invented Tric-Trac." Below this is written More's Utopia translated by Sorbierre. Also included is Jean Swammerdam's "Histoire general des insectes" by Jean Swammerdam (undated). At the end is a collection of various works, such as Voltaire's only scientific work, the "Elements de la philosophe de Neuton [Newton]" (8vo., undated, but 1738 or after). An unusual inclusion is Francois Genil's "Le jardinier solitaire; ou, Dialogue entre un curieux & un jardinier solitaire" Intriguing entries on the front wrapper require further investigation. The first is dated 1781: "Quitances de Henry de ___ 432" (the meaning of which is unclear); this would be the "newest" book in the catalogue. Below these are two other titles dated 1777 and 1778. Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers 3873

Bibliografische Details

Titel: [MANUSCRIPT LIBRARY CATALOGUE, FRANCE, ca. ...
Verlag: France
Erscheinungsdatum: 1781
Zustand: Very good