Bibliotheca Spenceriana 4 Volume Set
At his death, George Spencer (1758–1834) had created the greatest private library in Europe. At the time, many aristocrats were spending huge sums acquiring rare printed books. With monastic and aristocratic libraries in Europe being dissolved, collectors had access to thousands of examples. The Second Earl Spencer's interests were in English 'black-letter' printing, especially the works of Caxton, and continental incunables, particularly first editions of Greek and Latin classics. Thomas Dibdin (1776–1847) was employed as Spencer's librarian and visited Europe searching for new acquisitions. Published in 1814–15, this catalogue is of the earliest and rarest items in the collection. Each is described in detail, with reproductions of woodcuts and engravings, making this a fascinating record of one man's commitment to collecting the earliest examples of this revolutionary invention.
Product details
June 2012Multiple copy pack
9781108051118
2118 pages
255 × 179 × 112 mm
3.9kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Volume 1: Preface
- Block-books
- Theology
- Ancient classics. Volume 2: Ancient classics (cont.). Volume 3: Collections of classics
- Grammar and lexicography
- Miscellaneous authors. Volume 4: Advertisement
- Miscellaneous authors (cont.)
- Italian books
- William Caxton
- Oxford books
- St Alban books
- Lettou and Machlinia
- Wynkyn de Worde
- Richard Pynson
- Supplement
- Additions and emendations
- Indexes.