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, lightly browned, contemporary ink ink inscription on title crossed out, from the library of the Abbey of St.Germain de Près with ink stamp to margin of title, also monogram stamp "HDD" (Lugt 739), eighteenth century red morocco, gilt, with triple gilt fillet and small stars to corners, spine gilt with green morocco label, g.e., very slightly rubbed at edges, wormhole to lower joint, 8vo, Paris, Frederic Leonard, 1666. *** Important catalogue of the first of two print collections formed by Marolles (1600-81), abbot of Villeloin and man of letters, regarded as the "Father of Print Collecting". This first collection amounted to 123,400 separate prints by over 6000 print makers, mounted in 400 large volumes and 141 smaller ones, and was the largest and finest collection ever formed up to that time. In 1667 it was acquired by Colbert on behalf of King Louis XIV for 28,000 livres and is today the foundation of the Department of Prints at the Bibliothèque Nationale. "HDD" is the stamp of Pierre Defer (1798-1870), expert to King Louis Philippe and significant collector of prints and drawings, and his nephew Henri Dumesnil (1823-98) who inherited Defer's collection.

Estimate:£1,500

View all items fromForum AuctionsorBooks, Maps & Manuscripts