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MARCHAND, Prosper (d. 1756). Histoire de l'origine et des prémiers progrès de l'imprimerie. The Hague: La Veuve le Vier and Pierre Paupie, 1740. 2 parts in one volume. -- Barthélmy MERCIER (1734-1799). Supplément a l'histoire de l'imprimerie, de Prosper Marchard: ou additions et corrections pour cet ouvrage. Paris: Philip Denys Pierrs, 1775.
Three parts in two, 4o (261 x 205 mm). Engraved frontispiece in vol. 1 showing printing descending from the heavens, presented by Minerva and Mercury, by J.V. Schley, engraved vignette of printing on title and allegorical engraving on first text leaf. First title-page printed in red and black. Contemporary French mottled calf, spines gilt, red morocco lettering pieces, edges gilt (joints rubbed and a bit weak, some wear to extremities).
FIRST EDITION of Marchand's work, second edition of Mercier's supplement. "This work is, from an historical, literary, and typographic point of view, of high interest. The frontispiece is a noble copperplate engraving, by J.V. Schley, dated 1739. The legend states that it represents 'Printing, descending from heaven, is attributed by Minerva and Mercury to Germany.' Female figures holding medallions of Caxton, Aldus Manutius, Robert Stephens, and 'Laurent Koster,' represent respectively the countries of England, Italy, France, and Holland, which are stated to be 'the four first countries in which the art was practised'...The book is excellently printed, but the pages are overladen with citations of authorities. The notes, indeed, constitute at least three-fourths of the matter. In the preface the author states that the Dissertation forms part of a series of works on which he had been engaged between 1715 and 1735, and that he had detached this section for publication at the solicitation of his friends, on the occasion of the third jubilee of printing...Prosper Marchand was a bookseller and editor, to whom the literary world is greatly indebted" (Bigmore & Wyman II, 22). (2)
Three parts in two, 4
FIRST EDITION of Marchand's work, second edition of Mercier's supplement. "This work is, from an historical, literary, and typographic point of view, of high interest. The frontispiece is a noble copperplate engraving, by J.V. Schley, dated 1739. The legend states that it represents 'Printing, descending from heaven, is attributed by Minerva and Mercury to Germany.' Female figures holding medallions of Caxton, Aldus Manutius, Robert Stephens, and 'Laurent Koster,' represent respectively the countries of England, Italy, France, and Holland, which are stated to be 'the four first countries in which the art was practised'...The book is excellently printed, but the pages are overladen with citations of authorities. The notes, indeed, constitute at least three-fourths of the matter. In the preface the author states that the Dissertation forms part of a series of works on which he had been engaged between 1715 and 1735, and that he had detached this section for publication at the solicitation of his friends, on the occasion of the third jubilee of printing...Prosper Marchand was a bookseller and editor, to whom the literary world is greatly indebted" (Bigmore & Wyman II, 22). (2)