Printed Books and Bookbindings Volume I and II

This finely illustrated catalogue reveals the riches of Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild’s collection of books, formed in the last 20 years of the 19th century, and one of the best of its kind outside Paris.

The first volume provides introductory surveys on the collecting of ancient régime books and Baron Ferdinand’s interests. The following chapters discuss the late 17th and 18th century Parisian bookbinding trade, with particular studies on the style and production of leading bookbinders, Padeloup, Douceur, the Deromes and others. The provenance index records past owners, with brief biographical notes, and there is a select bibliography. The classified index of over 1000 French bookbinder’s tools, reproduced digitally in actual size, provides an authoritative reference file on the best French bookbinding of the period.

This catalogue is handsomely printed and illustrated in colour and black-and-white. No earlier private library catalogue has excelled it in learning and none has come near to equalling it in beauty of presentation. It is likely to be the last, as well as the most distinguished, of its kind. By Giles Barber.