«Merge Record #»«Title» - Susanne Schulz-Falster

The final section describes a ball game using a bat and involving two teams alternately in
the field and at bat, which bears resemblance to baseball or cricket.
In the preface the author describes the complicated publishing history of the work,
enlarged from the original Spielalmanach of 1797, and re-issued without licence and
under a variety of pseudonyms by by a number of rival publishers, which resulted in a
number of law suits. The different editions are all of interest, as they reflect
contemporary gaming fashions, and include different games.
Van der Linde, Das erste Jahrtausend der Schachliterature 16; Van der Linde, Geschichte und Literature
des Schachspiels II, p. 69; an der Linde-Niemeijeriana 3551; see Spielbücher und -Graphik des 16. - 18.
Jahrhunderts 38 for earlier edition.
The History of a Property in Paris
33.
[FORTIA D'URBAN, Agricole-Joseph-François].] Recueil des Titres de Propriété d'un
Maison et Terrain situés au faubourg Montmarte, division du Mont-Blanc, chaussée
d'Antin, rue de la Rochefoucauld no. 12, à Paris deuxième arrondissment municipal.
Paris, Xhrouet, 1809. $1600
12mo, pp. [ii], 271; contemporary full tan calf with triple rule to sides, spine decoratively gilt, giltlettered
spine label, with monogram stamp F.J. to front free endpaper, and stamp of Fressod; a fine
copy.
First and apparently only edition of an interesting compilation of all the deeds and legal
documents relating to a particular house and grounds in Paris from 1644. In minute
detail every change of ownership, change of use and modification of the building and the
adjoining land of no. 12, rue de Rochefoucault is documented, and is thus of great
interest to architectural and legal historians alike. The property changed ownership
through sale, inheritance, and division. It seems astonishing how often the property was
in fact sold off. Early documents allowing the building of fences and walls are also
included, as are local tax obligations, and exact financial details of later property
transactions.
This curious publication was written by the Marquis de Fortia d'Urban (1756-1843), the
owner of the property in the early nineteenth century. Descending from one of the oldest
Catalan families, he excelled as a student at the Paris military academy. However, instead
of pursuing a military career, he spent his life as an independent writer, historian and
scientist, and was a member of numerous literary and scientific societies. He wrote on
history, mathematics and geography, among them a well-known history of China.
After his death, no. 12 rue de la Rochefoucault passed to the family of the symbolist
painter Gustave Moreau, who modified it and added a large artist's studio. Today the
house is open to the public the Musée National Gustave Moreau.
RLIN/OCLC list no copies in America, and just two copies in Paris libraries.
34.