Auction 355 Bibliography - Typography - Fine Printing - Private Presses
262

PHILLIPPS -- "E. LIBRIS T. PHILLIPPS, Ætatis suæ 16, Decemb. 10, 1808". Catalogue of 111 titles of books which were in the possession of the great bibliophile Sir Thomas Phillipps at the age of 16, issued in only "a few copies". Printed on 2 sides of a folded 8° sheet of paper.

Very rare and in fact the first personal catalogues made by one of the greatest bibliophiles who ever lived. At his death his library consisted of some 40,000 printed books and 60,000 manuscripts, arguably the largest collection a single individual has created, and coined the term 'vello-maniac' to describe his obsession, which is more commonly termed bibliomania. On this first of his library catalogues see Munby, Phillipps Studies III: The formation of the Phillipps Library up to the year 1840, p. 1, quoting Phillipps himself: "I send you a Curiosity which was the Forerunner of Future Events. I found this Catalogue the other day made when I was 16 […]. I fancy there are not many Boys who have had a Library of 110 [=111!] Vols at the age of 16."

€ 100

result € 240

previous lot next lot

Back
This website uses cookies. Do you want to accept?
Accept Reject