A Bibliographical Antiquarian and Picturesque Tour in France and Germany.

DIBDIN, Rev. Thomas Frognall (1776-1847).

London: Printed for the author, by W. Bulmer and W. Nicol, Shakspeare Press, and Sold by Payne and Foss, Longman, Hurst and Co., 1821. [Bibliographical Travel] FIRST EDITION. Complete in three volumes. Octavo (27 x 18cm), pp.[6] xxxii; 462; lxxx [2]; pp.[6] 555 [3]; pp.[6] 622; lxii [2].With a total of 146 engraved illustrations, including 83 plates, and 63 in-text. Occasional use of colour, as in the facsimile of a section from the Bayeux Tapestry, and occasional hinged plates. Also including two indexes (of Books and Manuscripts, and of Persons, Places and Things) to volume I, and the Supplement to volume III. Contemporary or slightly later green half morocco, with raised bands, gilt titles and decoration to spines, and marbled paper over boards. Top edges gilt; others untrimmed. Generally quite a clean copy, with some light occasional spotting to plates, and some offsetting to facing leaves. Volume II has a number of small repaired chips and tears to the margins of some leaves, while volume I has recently been re-cased, including new leather applied to hinges and the tail-cap, and a new tail-band. Repairs also to hinges. Moderate wear to bindings, with rubbing, chipping and re-colouring to bands, hinges and corners, and some wear to marbled boards. Very good. The first of the inimitable Rev. Dibdin's Bibliographical Antiquarian tours, made shortly after the end of the long-running wars with France, along with everyone else and his dog who could afford it, apparently. Dibdin's tour, however, is unique in being one made with the chief purpose of admiring fine libraries across the continent, though of course architecture and local manners are considered as well. Dibdin is best-known as the founder of the Roxburghe Club, convened initially to mark the sale of the Duke of Roxburghe's famous library in June 1812, and then re-formed each year on its anniversary. It became the very first Book Club, and remains the most exclusive in the world, with no more than 40 active members at any one time. Item #59323

Price: £950.00