The Book Block :: Fine and Rare Books
NY Antiquarian Book Fair :: April 20 - 22, 2007

Altogether 39 items (four approx. 13 x 8 inches; 18 approx. 8 x 6 1/2 inches; nine approx. 7 1/2 x 3 3/4 inches; four approx. 6 x 3 1/2 inches; three approx. 4 1/4 x 2 1/2 inches). For the most part they are bound in Brocade Papers, often erroneously called Dutch Gilt Paper; these papers, printed and embossed in imitation of the rich brocades and damasks of the period, were mostly made in Augsburg, Germany. They bore designs and motifs ranging from animals, plants and flowers to religious subjects, professions and trades, historical events, and genre scenes, which were carved into the wooden blocks used to print the images in bronze varnish on plain or color-printed papers. Their maker often, but not always, signed the sheets in the border. They were used to cover pamphlets, scores, plays, poems, manuals and scholarly dissertations. The remainder of the collection is bound in Block-Printed Paper, which is the product of a printing process that relied upon the techniques employed in the printing of cotton fabrics, or chintz. Eighteenth-century block-printed papers were widely printed and used in Italy, Germany, France and England.

Altogether 27 vols. (22 approx. 7 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches; 5 vols. approx. 5 3/4 x 3 3/4 inches). The books are all in the original publishers' bindings in the FINEST POSSIBLE CONDITION. They are better examples of the bindings described and pictured by Sophie Malavieille in her 1985 book, Reliures et cartonnages d'éditeur en France au XIXe siècle (1815-1865). Almost all of the books are either presentation or prize bindings, nine of which were given to a Miss Esther Charlotte Steinberg, then a student in France. Four of Miss Steinberg's books contain prize certificates, the other five bear dated, personal inscriptions from school friends: Lizzie Pollack, Leah Pratt, Clara Bush, Emma Anne Fisher and another. See: Malavieille. pp. 34-81. Color plates XII-XVI. See also: Catalogue 20 of "La Nef des Fous" Paris, Nov., 1994 for other publishers' bindings covered in Malavieille's book.

Altogether 16 vols. ( approx. 6 1/4 x 4 1/2 inches to approx. 10 x 8 inches). The books are all in the original publishers' bindings in the EXCELLENT CONDITION. Most are better examples of the bindings described and pictured by Sophie Malavieille in her 1985 book, Reliures et cartonnages d'éditeur en France au XIXe siècle (1815-1865). The presence in the collection of four American examples, one of which is bound in blue cloth the other in brown, is quite unusual. See: Malavieille. pp. 135-253. Color plates IV-XI. See also: Catalogue 20 of "La Nef des Fous" Paris, Nov., 1994 for other publishers' bindings covered in Malavieille's book.

Tall 8vo. (8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches), bound in 18th century yellow and gold brokatpapier wrappers with a square spine; the paper is signed by Johann Christoph Ledergerber (see Hammerle. Buntpapier. Munich, 1961). Preserved in a custom morocco-backed clamshell case. Fine.

First edition of a curious work that deals with, among other things, a pre-Darwinian theory of evolution and Vegetarianism (one of the earliest books on the subject). The author also wrote a history of the Reformation as well as a study of Florentine philosophy. Each of the 256 pages of text is set within an attractive decorative border; there are typographical tailpieces at the end of the chapters, each of which opens with a large (2 1/4 x 2 inch) historiated initial printed from copper plates in brown, which contrasts nicely with the facing full page plates. The title-page, too, is printed from copper in brown. But the outstanding feature of the book is the eight full page color, printed in blue (like those in the the A.R.A Hobson copy, sold at Sotheby's on 10 November 1975). The plates depict, almost surrealistically, all manner of animals and mythological creatures: shellfish invading the land, beasts, dragons, insects, etc. The order and placement of the plates varies from copy to copy as do the colors in which they appear: the historiated initials in this copy are all printed in brown as is the title-page, while the full-page plates are all in blue. This is an exemplary, very large copy of an uncommon book preserved in a most appropriate contemporary binding. See NYPL (Spencer Collection , II,. p. 431.). Also: Brunet V. 427.

Six ll. (10 x 7 inches), printed in color lithography on one side and in black and white on the verso. Each page has two punched holes for stringing; the holes are perfect. Each page serves two months with a different illustration. In fine condition. This calendar is one of five, beginning in 1897 and ending in 1901, with entirely different illustrations for each year by Dr. Louis Crusius, who died in 1898 but left watercolors for calendars through 1901 (although the last was a reduced version consisting of just four leaves). The calendars were provided by the Antikamnia Co. as a Christmas promotional gift to doctors, and were revolutionary in medical advertising. Antikamnia Calendars (when they are found at all!), are usually offered incomplete or in poor condition, with considerable fading and almost always with the punched holes at the top torn. They were, after all, ephemeral and most of them were simply used up. This is an excellent specimen, rarely seen thus.

Six ll. (10 x 7 inches), printed in color lithography on one side and in black and white on the verso. Each page has two punched holes for stringing; the holes are perfect. March/April has a bit of staining in the top left corner, otherwise the set is very fine. Each page serves two months with a different illustration. This calendar is one of five, beginning in 1897 and ending in 1901, with entirely different illustrations for each year by Dr. Louis Crusius, who died in 1898 but left watercolors for calendars through 1901 (although the last was a reduced version consisting of just four leaves). The calendars were provided by the Antikamnia Co. as a Christmas promotional gift to doctors, and were revolutionary in medical advertising. Antikamnia Calendars (when they are found at all!), are usually offered incomplete or in poor condition, with considerable fading and almost always with the punched holes at the top torn. They were, after all, ephemeral and most of them were simply used up. This is an excellent specimen, rarely seen thus.