Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books and Medieval Manuscripts was established in 1978 on a ping pong table in a basement in Kalamazoo, Michigan. From the beginning, its founder was willing to sell a range of material (both because this approach made the work more educational than otherwise and because it gave him a good excuse for not being an expert in any particular specialty). Over the years, the business has gravitated toward historical artifacts that are physically attractive in some way-illuminated material, fine bindings, books printed on vellum, fore-edge paintings, beautiful typography and paper, impressive illustration. But the company nevertheless sells a wide range of things, from (scruffy) ninth century leaves to biblical material from all periods to Wing and STC imprints to modern privately printed books. While we are forgiving about condition when something is of considerable rarity, we always try to obtain the most attractive copies possible of whatever works we offer for sale. For the past 22 years, we have been fortunate to represent one of the country's most important collectors. This collaboration means that, apart from our own inventory, we have a continuing interest in building his collection of visually arresting books (items of unusual size, with beautiful bindings, and/or containing striking illustrations) and of other material that is extraordinarily odd or interesting, especially if (but not exclusively) relating to the history of medicine.
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Recently Listed Items
CONCERNING A MARRIAGE DISPENSATION(?)
by (PAPAL BULL ON VELLUM). POPE BENEDICT XIV
Rome 1740 (click for more details)A VIEW OF THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF EDUCATION, FOUNDED ON THE STUDY OF THE NATURE OF MAN
by (BINDINGS - PUBLISHER'S BOARDS). (EDUCATION). SPURZHEIM, JOHANN GASPAR
Edinburgh : Printed for Arch[ibal]d Constable & Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson & Co , 1821 (click for more details)LA LEGENDE DE SOEUR BEATRIX
by (BINDING - CLUB BINDERY, THE ROBERT HOE COPY). (POCHOIR). HENRI CARUCHET, Illustrator. NODIER, CHARLES
Paris : Librarie A. Roquette , 1903 (click for more details)
First Edition
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL; CONTAINING A SERIES OF TALES, LEGENDS, AND HISTORICAL ROMANCES
by FINDEN, WILLIAM and EDWARD, Engravers. BACON, THOMAS
London : Published for the Proprietor, by Charles Tilt , 1839-40 (click for more details)
First Edition
THE BOOK OF JOB
by FELL, HERBERT GRANVILLE, Illustrator. BIBLE IN ENGLISH
London and New York : J. M. Dent & Co. [and] Dodd, Mead & Co , 1896 (click for more details)Recent Catalogs
Catalogue 81: Early Books and Manuscripts
Early Books and Manuscripts
Recent Catalogs
Catalogue 80: Women Binders
Catalogue 80 featuring work by women binders from the Arts & Crafts movement of the late 19th century to the present.