Le Gallois (1685), Les Plus Belles Bibliothèques de l’Europe. Ex. Robert Hoe III

Characteristics: Le Gallois, Pierre (1685), Traitte des plus belles bibliotheques de l'Europe. Estienne Michallet, 240 pp. 19^th Century red morocco binding by Thibaron-Joly, with triple fillet, elaborately gilt dentelles; marbled endpapers; raised bands, gilt spine; Interior is clean and bright. Note that hinges are rubbed especially in one corner (see photos for general condition). A lovely copy with an important association: with Robert Hoe red morocco bookplate (volume listed in 1912 auction catalogue) and James Cox Brady bookplate (engraved by Charles Selkirk, 1908).

Provenance: Robert Hoe III / James Cox Brady

References: Anderson Auction Co., April 22, 1912, lot 1932

An important volume on book collecting being a survey of ancient and contemporary European libraries, associated to one of the greatest book collectors of the 19^th Century, Robert Hoe III (1839-1909). A businessman and printing press manufacturer, he was a founder and the first president of the Grolier Club that promotes the art of bookmaking (in reference to the great collector Jean Grolier). His collection of rare books and manuscripts was valued at several million dollars at the time of his death. The sale of his collection in 1911-1912 became a historic milestone in the history of collecting since it included a copy of the Gutenberg Bible which became the most expensive book ever sold when it was purchased for $50,000 for Henry Huntington, another of the greatest book collectors.

James Cox Brady was a businessman and grandfather of US Treasury Secretary Nicholas Brady. He had an important library.

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