Gesner, Bibliotheca universalis, Zurich, 1545, Augsburg pigskin binding
Auction Closed
December 10, 04:10 PM GMT
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
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Description
GESNER, CONRAD. Bibliotheca universalis, sive Catalogus omnium scriptorum locupletissimus, in tribus linguis, Latina, Graeca, & Hebraica. Zurich: Christopher Froschauer, September 1545
First edition. A remarkable feat of bibliographical scholarship and arguably the first of its kind, Gesner’s work was nothing less than an attempt to list all known books printed in Latin, Greek and Hebrew. It was used by collectors such as the Fugger family to assemble their libraries.
Folio (310 x 190mm). Roman, Greek and italic types, 41 lines plus headline. collation: *8 A6 B4 a–z6 A–Z6 Aa–Zz6 aa–zz6 AA–MM6 N8: 650 leaves (last leaf blank). Woodcut printer’s device on title, woodcut initials. (Minor dampstaining and worming towards end.)
binding: Contemporary Augsburg pigskin over wooden boards, by Matthias Gärtner (EBDB w004385), blind-tooled decoration, two clasps. (Without catches, head of spine damaged and crudely repaired, lacking front free endpaper.)
acquisition: Purchased in 1991 from Jonathan A. Hill, New York. references: USTC 616753