Marolles (Michel de) Catalogue de Livres d'Estampes et de Figures

Marolles (Michel de) Catalogue de Livres d'Estampes et de Figures en Taille-Douce, first edition, title with woodcut device, woodcut monograms of artists, lightly browned, occasional soiling, later ink signature of L.Potier to front free endpaper, engraved armorial bookplates of Louis de la Forets Comte d'Armaillé and another, early eighteenth century tan morocco with triple gilt fillets, spine gilt with ornaments and morocco label, g.e., rubbed, spine ends slightly chipped, small rounded impressions to lower cover, 12mo, Paris, Jacques Langlois, 1672. *** Catalogue of the second of two print collections formed by Marolles (1600-81), abbot of Villeloin and man of letters, regarded as the "Father of Print Collecting". This second collection includes illustrated books and is as important as the first. It describes the 100,848 prints and 10,576 drawings which Marolles purchased and organised in the six years following the sale of his first collection (see previous lot). It is believed to be the first printed work in which the monograms of artists are systematically reproduced, and is scarcer than the first catalogue. L.Potier, presumably Antoine-Laurent Potier (1806-81), one of the greatest Parisian booksellers of the 19th century, who formed a large and important private collection, sold 1870-82, which was rich in blibliography.

Estimate:£1,000

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