Dibdin

1821 · 996F55 — London: Printed for the author by W. Bulmer and W. Nicol Shakespeare Press 1821. First edition. Cloth. Very Good Indeed. 10" by 7". Not Stated. The impressive three volume first edition of this account of book buying in Europe in the early 19th century illustrated throughout and written by Thomas Frognall Dibdin on a trip to France and Germany. The first edition of this work complete in three volumes. Only 1000 copies of this first edition were produced.A fascinating work on books and book hunting in the early eighteenth century offering an intriguing insight into the industry.Illustrated with thirteen plates to volume I alongside thirty-nine vignettes volume II with twenty-four plates and twenty-four vignettes and volume III with forty-six plates and fifty vignettes. Collated complete.In 1818 Dibdin was commissioned by Earl George Spence to purchase books for him on the continent. It was this trip that is described in beautiful detail in this work which was first published in 1821.Dibdin was accompanied on his trip by George Lewis and together they spend nine months in French and Germany. They visited various public and private libraries.Rebound in cloth with endpapers renewed. Bound without half titles.The volumes are entertaining recounting their follies and errors during the trip. However the inaccuracies in the book upset the French; the French translation which appeared in 1825 contained many footnotes that attacked the original text. Rebound in cloth with endpapers renewed. Rubbing to spine label of volume I otherwise externally excellent. Internally firmly bound. Pages bright with offsetting to leaves facing plates and with the odd spot. Bound without half titles. Very Good Indeed Printed for the author, by W. Bulmer and W. Nicol, Shakespeare Press hardcover