Essai Historique Sur La Bibliotheque Du Roi, Et sur Chacun des Depots qui la Composent, avec la Descrption des batimens, & des Objets les Plus Curieux a voir dans cas Differens Depots.
Paris: Belin, 1782.
Xxi, [III], 3720pp, small Roman & italic type (notes in a smaller size), woodcut headpiece. Contemporary gilt ruled autumn leaf calf, gilt bee design repeated on flat spine, blue leather spine label, marbled edges, joints cracked, top of spine rubbed. Paris: Belin, 1782. First Edition. Very good (+).
The first study of the Bibliotheque Nationale, with the subsequently suppressed passages describing other Parisian libraries. The bulk of the text comprises an architecturally organized tour of the various departments: books, manuscripts, prints, patents of nobility, genealogies, medieval historical documents etc. There are lengthy dissertations on specific items of preeminent importance, beauty and rarity.
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good(+)
Edition: First
Language: French
Price: $600.00
Item #242430