by LABBÉ, Philippe
16 p.l., 394 (i.e. 392) pp. 8vo, cont. vellum over boards (minor browning). Paris: L. Billaine, 1664. "This is the first edition of the earliest extant bibliography of bibliographies (despite the 'curis secundis auctior' on the title). It is basically an alphabetical list, arranged by authors' first names, followed by eight intricate subject indices, among them one of publishers' and booksellers' catalogues. Appended is a very useful numismatic bibliography. The work enjoyed three later editions during the seventeenth century and provided the basis for Teissier...Labbé (1607-67), one of the most learned polymaths of his time, was a Jesuit professor of philosophy in Paris."-Grolier Club, Bibliography, 62. Haebler, in his Handbuch, states that this is the second book on incunabula and the first in which the word is used in connection with printing. A fine copy and rare. Old stamp on verso of title and another on following leaf. ❧ Besterman, The Beginnings of Systematic Bibliography, pp. 50 & 54. Taylor, Book Catalogues, pp. 176, 208, & 219-20. (Inventory #: 2949)
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