The bibliographical decameron, or ten days pleasant discourse, upon illuminated manuscripts, and subjects connected with early engravings, typography and bibliography.
London: The Author. By W. Bulmer & Co., Shakespeare Press, 1817. Three volumes. Imperial 8vo. [iv], vi, ccxxv, 410, [2]; [iv]. 536, [2]; [iv], 544, [3] pp. FIRST EDITION. Complete with errata, colophon, and half-titles. With 40 plates, including the oft missing "Presentation in the Temple" in Volume I, portraits, illustrations and facsimiles, engraved vignettes, woodcut and text illustrations (some printed on India paper and mounted). Contemporary full crimson crushed levant morocco bound by St. James' Duke Street, London, a dated binding with the elaborate gilt spine in 6 compartments and "London, 1827" in gilt at the foot. From the library of Thomas Willement (1786-1871), British stained glass artist, called "the father of Victorian Stained Glass," with his signature, a small circular binders label and his personal bookplate from the Society of London Antiquaries. A handsome copy with an important provenance. Item #13004
First and only edition of one of the monuments of typographical bibliography, and the most extravagant of all Dibdin's works. It was limited to under 1000 regular and 50 large paper copies. "Its publication was a financial success and doubtless marks the high-water mark of the Dibdinian bibliomania" (Windle & Pippin, A28). According to Bigmore & Wyman, the work is written in the same dialogue manner as Dibdin's Bibliomania, with the same interlocutors, and may be properly described as a continuation of that work.
Price: $2,500.00