Estate Books & Ephemera Online Only Auction
Lot 20:
Description
2 Hardcover Volumes of Typographia or the Printers Instructor by J. Johnson published by Messrs. Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green, Paternoster Row London c. 1824 1st Edition Roxburghe Royal Octavo Size. "Including an account of the origin of printing with biographical notices of the printers of England, from Caxton to the close of the Sixteenth Century. A series of ancient and modern alphabets, and Domesday characters: together with an elucidation of every subject connected with the Art." First edition of this history of printing, the largest of four sizes published (royal octavo), with two wood-engraved title pages by J. Thompson, three wood-engraved plates, and numerous wood-engraved in-text illustrations and vignettes including portraits of printers and printer’s devices. This is a so-called Roxburghe copy, in royal octavo format. The Roxburghe Club was formed in the wake of the record-setting auction of the Duke of Roxburghe’s library. The Roxburghe Club met annually. Highly exclusive, only 40 members have been allowed at any one time. The Club has only had 350 members overall. The main expectation of the Club is that each member must publish a small, deluxe edition of a rare or curious book. This first edition was published in four sizes: 32mo, 16mo, octavo, and royal octavo?with the last distributed to the Roxburghe Club. Beautiful Two Volume Full Navy Blue Morrocco Leather Bound Set with blind and gold tooling on front and back cover and on spine with raised bands. Both volumes have gilt edges on all three sides. Each volume measures 8 5/8" x 5 5/8" x 1 1/2"
Condition: Vol. I – Condition – Near Fine – Morocco leather front and back cover has light wear to edges. Corners lightly bumped with light wear. Back cover has scratches and lightly faded. Spine has wear. Former owner (Charles Barclay, British Brewer, Landowner and Tory Member of Parliament, 1780-1855) ex-libris inside front cover. Binding is tight. Foxing to first few pages. Remainer of block is in beautiful condition with occasional light toning consistent with age and use. Vol. II – Condition – Near Fine – Morocco leather front and back cover has light wear to edges. Corners lightly bumped with light wear. Spine shows wear to joints, head and tail. Front hinge is split but intact. Binding is tight. Former owner (Charles Barclay, British Brewer, Landowner and Tory Member of Parliment, 1780-1855) ex-libris inside front cover. Binding is tight. Foxing to first few pages. Remainer of block is in beautiful condition with occasional light toning consistent with age and use. Please see photos.
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