"Old-Fashioned" French Manuscript Library Catalogue

[Anonymous French Book Collector]

[MANUSCRIPT LIBRARY CATALOGUE, FRANCE, ca. 1780s].

France: n.d. (after 1781). Manuscript on paper. 8vo. [16] pp. (including 2 blank pages), with handwriting almost entirely filling 13 pages. Stitched (recent?), evidence of two old folds, minor toning and soiling but overall in very good antiquarian condition. Very good. Item #3873

DIMINUTIVE AND CURIOUS MANUSCRIPT LIBRARY CATALOGUE OF VOYAGES AND HISTORY, NO DOUBT WRITTEN BY A FRENCH ANTIQUARIAN (note the compiler's almost unwavering spelling of "Voiages" (sic).

The entries are classified as belonging to just two types of books: Voyages and "Histoire," the latter being very broad in scope -- as commonly among early French library catalogues. For instance, classified as "Histoire" is Hirzel's "Le Socrate rustique"; unusually, the complete imprint is recorded here (Zurich, Heideggeur, 1764), as is the size (12mo); most entries are more brief. Listed also are works by Sessa, "celebre mathematicien indien" who "invented Chess," and Ardschir, who "invented Tric-Trac." Below this is written More's Utopia translated by Sorbierre. Also included is Jean Swammerdam's "Histoire general des insectes" by Jean Swammerdam (undated). At the end is a collection of various works, such as Voltaire's only scientific work, the "Elements de la philosophe de Neuton [Newton]" (8vo., undated, but 1738 or after). An unusual inclusion is Francois Genil's "Le jardinier solitaire; ou, Dialogue entre un curieux & un jardinier solitaire"

Intriguing entries on the front wrapper require further investigation. The first is dated 1781: "Quitances de Henry de ___ 432" (the meaning of which is unclear); this would be the "newest" book in the catalogue. Below these are two other titles dated 1777 and 1778.

Price: $750.00