(AUCTION CATALOGUE: COLBERT). Bibliotheca Colbertina: seu Catalogus Librorum Bibliothecae, quae fuit Primum...J.B. Colbert...deinde J.B. Colbert, March. de Seignelay; postea...J. Nic. Colbert...ac demum Caroli-Leonorii Colbert, Comitis de Seignelay.
Three vols. 12mo, cont. speckled calf (upper joint of Vol. I a little cracked), spines richly gilt, red morocco lettering pieces on spines. Paris: G. Martin & F. Montalant, 1728. The scarce sale catalogue of the enormous library formed by Jean-Baptiste Colbert (1619-83), statesman and minister to Louis XIV. This catalogue contains 18,219 lots but as many lots were bundles, it has been estimated by Guigard that there were roughly 60,000 to 70,000 books and MSS. in the library. After Colbert's death, the collection was added to by his descendants. Colbert was a great patron of the arts, sciences, and literature and his library reflects his wide activities and interests. A very good set, priced throughout in a contemporary hand. Blogie cols. 2-3. Grolier Club, Printed Catalogues of French Book Auctions...1643-1830, 28. Guigard, II, pp. 152-54. Peignot, p. 90. Pollard & Ehrman no. 270. Taylor, Book Catalogues, p. 237.
$US12500
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