GIFTS 102 “Perhaps The Most Treasured (And Expensive) Book In The World...” “Baskerville’s Books Were Unusually Beautiful” 171(BASKERVILLE, John, printer). The Book of Common Prayer. Cambridge, 1762. 12mo, contemporary full red polished morocco gilt. $2200 First duodecimo edition of Baskerville’s Book of Common Prayer, with second state title page (as usual). Given John Baskerville’s stated interest in printing not “many books; but such only, as are of consequence, of intrinsic merit, or established Reputation, and which the public may be pleased to see in elegant dress,” (Art of the Printed Book, 26), it is little wonder that he included the Book of Common Prayer (first published 1549) among that elect company. Second state title page, largely reset, as usual. This first 12mo edition was published in an edition of 4000 in April, 1762. Fine. First Edition Of Johnson’s Prayers And Meditations 172JOHNSON, Samuel. Prayers and Meditations. London, 1785. Octavo, contemporary full tan calf rebacked. $3000 First edition of Johnson’s personal spiritual writings. On January 2nd, 1781, the never-idle Samuel Johnson wrote a brief list of New Year’s resolutions. “My hope is, To rise at eight or sooner. To read the Bible through this year, in some language. To keep a journal. To study religion. To avoid idleness.” Scattered light foxing to text, boards with mild age-wear. A handsome copy. 170(DORÉ, Gustave). The Holy Bible. With Illustrations by Gustave Doré. London and New York, circa 1867. Two volumes. Thick folio, contemporary full brown morocco gilt. $7500 One of the earliest editions in English, splendidly illustrated by Doré with 238 full-page wood-engravings, in contemporary full morocco. “In the 1870s, The Doré Bible was perhaps the most treasured (and expensive) book in the world” (Malan, 81). Because of high demand, a number of editions in English saw print between 1867 and 1903. This set is among the earliest editions, in that it contains 238 plates (later editions had only 205) and is in the large format of 12 by 15 inches. Light marginal dampstaining not touching text or images; minor expert restoration to joints of handsome contemporary binding.
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