(AUCTION CATALOGUE: BOZE). Catalogue des Livres du Cabinet de M. De Boze.
1 p.l., x, 552 pp. 8vo, cont. mottled sheep (some rubbing), spine gilt, red morocco lettering piece on spine. Paris: G. Martin et al., 1753. [bound with]: -- . Catalogue des Livres provenans de la Bibliothéque de feu M. de Boze... 2 p.l., viii, 192 pp. 8vo. Paris: G. Martin, 1754. The auction catalogues of the famous collection formed by Claude Gros de Boze (1680-1753), the renowned academician and savant. It was an excellent library, notable for its block books and incunabula; these catalogues provide the best idea of its contents. The 1753 auction never took place. After publication of the catalogue, two collectors -- Boutin and Cotte -- purchased the whole library, retaining the books which they desired for their own collections and selling certain precious incunabula to Gaignat. They then turned over the remainder to Gabriel Martin to sell by auction the following year. Our copy of the 1753 catalogue, which Archer Taylor considered to be one of Gabriel Martin's best efforts, contains pre-sale valuations in a contemporary hand alongside each lot. This is a remarkable fact and important for the history of book collecting in France. Fine copies. Blogie cols. 6-7. Brunet, I, 1642. Grolier Club, Printed Catalogues of French Book Auctions...1643-1830, 104 & 112. Peignot, pp. 83-84. Taylor, Book Catalogues, p. 233.
$US2500
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