One of 50 copies on Velin

OLIVIER, Eugene and VAILET, Gonzague

[BOOK PROVENANCE / MEDICAL DOCTORS]. Essai de repertoire des ex-libris et fers de reliure des medecins et des pharmaciens francais

Paris: Ch. Bosse, 1927. FIRST EDITION. Softcover. Small 4to. xvi, 235, [3] pp. Bound in original wrappers, as issued. Preserved in a protective cloth case. Very good. Item #2374

The essential resource for the study of provenance of medical books, still unsurpassed. Ours is one of only 50 on fine Velin paper, rare thus in private ownership. In fact, we have located only two other copies on Velin in commerce in the last 90 years: Maggs' 1983 Catalogue 1037, and (more "recently") at Swann Galleries 19 Oct. 2000. ¶ This formidable work is profusely illustrated, with 212 reproductions of bookplates and "super ex-libros" stamps that appear on the covers of bookbindings. There are 688 authoritative bio-bibliographical notices of French book collectors of the 18th- and 19th-century, all of whom (of course) were medical doctors and pharmacists. Olivier and Vailet even include coverage of early hospital libraries. The names of the owners are usefully arranged in alphabetical order. Contains an interesting preface by Prof. Laignel-Lavastine. ¶ Happily, the edges of our Velin copy have been professionally TRIMMED to allow easy consultation of the text and images (!).

Price: $980.00