BIBLIOTHEQUE de M. RENE DESCAMPS-SCRIVE (3 Volumes)
Paris: Galerie Georges Petit, 1925. Hardbound. Three volumes, original wraps, each bound into 3/4 red leather with red marbled paper/boards. 5 raised bands with gilt lettering. TEG. Red marbled end papers. Vol.1: vi + 98 pp. listing 245 titles. Vol. 2: 203 pp. listing 575 titles; with color frontis. Vol. 3: 247 pp. listing 738 titles. All three volumes have numerous glossy pages throughout (not in page counts) with bw plates on both sides. Generally good to very good. Volume 1: front cover/fep cleanly detached; prelim pages up to half title are loose; spine leather a bit (evenly) faded. Volume 2: front cover/spine loose but not separated from each other; one blank, prelim page detached and laid in; light rubbing to hinges and bands. Volume 3: Head of spine (above top band) was loose and has been re-glued; prices marked in pencil next to many listings. Two personal bookplates on FEPs of each volume (see note in comments section). Item #36230
Text in French. A monumental, beautifully-bound set of catalogues describing the books from this important collection, sold at auctions on March, May, and November 1925 in Paris. The owner, M. Rene Descamps-Scrive, was a well-known bibliophile an d philanthropist. Volume 1 covers ancient books, original editions and illustrated books of the 15th through 17th centuries, with 245 lots described. Volume 2 covers books of the Romantic period, illustrated books of the 19th century, original editions, and very ornate bindings, with 575 lots described. Volume 3 covers original editions, contemporary authors, and beautiful modern books with beautiful illustrations, with 738 lots described. A monumental set and a pleasure to peruse. The bookplates of two former owners, Mildred Barnes Bliss and Robert Woods Bliss, grace the front end papers of each volume. Both were philanthropists, art collectors, and the co-founders of the renowned Dumbarton Oaks Collection and Research Library in Washington, DC, housed in their former home. Robert Bliss also was a US diplomat. Mildred Bliss commissioned Stravinsky's Dumbarton Oaks Concerto in honor of the Bliss' 30th wedding anniversary, and the composition was premiered at Dumbarton Oaks. Their bookplates make this set even more special!
Price: $190.00