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

8vo, 10 parts in one, pp. 101, [3] blank; 15, [1] blank; 14, [2]; 16; 14, [2]; 16; 15, [1]; 16; 18; title in
French and Dutch; contemporary red roan backed marbled boars, spine ruled and lettered in gilt;
with the bookplate of Elizabeth Mary Villiers to front pastedown; an attractive copy.
Very rare catalogue of an early nineteenth century lending library operating in the Hague.
The volume consists of an extensive main catalogue with 1646 entries, and nine
supplements, listing a grand total of 3301 books. The books are listed in title order
divided by language, first French, then English and Dutch books, with a separate section
of comedies. In each case the author and price are given, occasionally with information
to number of volumes or the presence of illustrations. The overwhelming majority of
titles are clearly novels and light entertainment, together with some travel accounts and a
few non fiction titles; numerous translations are also included. On the verso of the title
subscription charges for those wanting to borrow books listed; if a book is lost the full
price has to be paid. Unknown borrowers might be asked to pay a deposit.
A fascinating insight into reading habits of the early nineteenth century. This volume is in
particularly nice condition, most unusual for a book of the genre. J. Meurs ran both a
bookshop and a lending library in Meurs, which was continued by his son.
Apparently unrecorded; no copy listed in RLIN or OCLC, although OCLC lists a later suite of similar
catalogues at the University of Amsterdam (1823 to 1828); for Meurs see E.F. Kossmann, De Boekhandel
te 's-Gravenhage tot het eind van de 18de eeuw, 's-Gravenhage, Martinus Nijhoff, 1937, p. 269.
56.
[OPERA.] Applausi al Singolare Merito della Celebre Signora Anna Morichelli Bosello
che canta in Venezia nel Teatro Giustiniani in San Moisè quest'qanno 1796. Venezi,
Stamperia Fenzo, [1796]. $1900
Tall 4to, [ii] engraved frontispiece portrait (in red), pp. 12, [2] blank; contemporary pattern-paper
wrappers; upper wrapper a little dust-soiled, corners dog-eared.
First and only edition of the poem in praise of the famous eighteenth century opera diva,
soprano Anna Morichelli Bosello , illustrated with a fine engraved portrait by Zatta after
Trussarelli. The fine portrait shows Anna Morichelli with her hair covered by a headdress
topped by a flower, she is covered with a shawl, following the fashion of the late
eighteenth century.
Morazzoni 275; Pettoello 485; no copies found in RLIN or OCLC.
57.
[PARIS Fair.] Exposition Universelle de 1855. Explication des Ouvrage de Peinture,
Sculpture, Gravure, Lithographie et Architecture des Artistes vivants étrangers et
Français exposés au Palais des Beaux-Art. Paris, Vinghon, 1855. $900
8vo, pp. [iii] - lx, 626, (pp. 617/618 misbound), large folding lithographic plate (500 x720mm)
entitled 'Plan-Guide du Palais des Beaux-Arts' bound at the end; apparently lacking dedicationleaf;
original morocco-backed boards, spine decorated and lettered in gilt, a good copy.