Bibliotheca Curiosa: Catalogue of the Library of Andrew J. Odell

AN IMPORTANT EXAMPLE OF AMERICAN COLOR PRINTING. Two volumes, complete. A remarkable catalogue of a remarkable collection. Odell focused on bibliography, books about books, history of printing and the graphic arts, and fine printing, at a time when few American collectors were interested in these areas. Books in these categories account for well over half of the 2,434 lots. There is also a wide selection of extremely rare books in other areas, especially the occult, including incunables and a few highly important medieval manuscripts. The catalogue itself is notable for two reasons. First, there are the precise, knowledgeable, and extensive descriptions, with numerous references to specialized bibliographies: most American book catalogues of this period give the barest information about the items at hand. Second, this is certainly the most lavishly-produced American book auction catalogue of the 19th century. It was beautifully printed on fine laid paper, with numerous engraved initials, headpieces, and tailpieces. VOLUME I OF THE PRESENT SET IS FROM THE DELUXE ISSUE, ONE OF VERY FEW COPIES PRINTED PRIMARILY FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION, with the initials, headpieces, and tailpieces printed in different colors. The sets of this deluxe issue that reached the market were sold for $10 each, a colossal price when we consider that lot 1462, a copy of Bodoni's 1818 Manuale Tipografico, sold for $4.50! Volume II is from the regular issue, and is NEATLY PRICED THROUGHOUT in a contemporary hand. Title-pages printed in red and black. Facsimiles. 4to. Volume I is ABSOLUTELY PRISTINE, uncut, unopened, unsewn, unstabbed, and unglued, loosely laid into original wraps (light soiling to wraps). Volume II in bound in half leather and marbled boards, with original wraps bound in (binding somewhat worn at extremities). Both volumes internally FINE, AND BRIGHT. Complete sets are extremely rare (volume II is especially scarce). Not in Bigmore & Wyman or Taylor.