24th ILAB International Antiquarian Book Fair - Vereinigung der ...

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Susanne Schulz-Falster Rare Books
Susanne Schulz-Falster
22 Compton Terrace ∙ London N1 2UN, Grossbritannien · Telefon +44 (0)20 77049845
E-Mail: sfalster@btinternet.com ∙ Internet: www.schulz-falster.com
Seltene Bücher der europäischen Aufklärung ∙ Ökonomie ∙ Sozialwissenschaften ∙ Handwerk ∙ Technik ·
Geschichte des Buchdrucks ∙ Frauen
Platea, F. de. Opus restitutionum usuarum et
excomunicationum edita. [colophon:] Venice,
Johannes de Colonia, 22 January 1477. Chancery
4to, (200 × 151 mm), ll. [152] including
initial and final blank; contemporary full vellum,
out of a fifteenth century rubricated legal
manuscript leaf, some wear to spine with
splits. CHF 14 500.–
A fine unsophisticated copy of an incunable edition
of the first printed book to deal with economics.
– Platea, (also known as Fra Francesco Piazza)
(?-1460), a Professor of law at Bologna, includes
a detailed discussion of monetary questions, the
taking of interest, and usury, in this treatise on
canon law. – Hain-Copinger 13040; BMC V, 227;
Goff P-758; Proctor 4312A; see Goldsmiths’-Kress
1 for first edition (1472).
[Stock Market Satire.] Het groote Tafereel der
Dwaasheid.[The great mirror of folly, showing
the rise, progress and downfall of the bubble
in stocks and windy speculation]. [n.p., n.p.],
[Amsterdam], 1720. Folio, pp. [ii], 25, [1], 52,
31, [1], 8, 10, engraved frontispiece and 74
engraved plates, mostly double-page, and/or
folding; occasional dust-soiling; contemporary
full mottled calf, gilt. CHF 13 500.–
The classic, rare literary and pictorial satire on
John Law’s system and the wild speculation in
stocks at that time. As part of Law’s well-conceived
plan to finance the French national debt, funds
were raised, a portion of which was invested in
the Compagnie d’Occident which was given rights
to exploit trade in Louisiana and Canada. The
underlying plan was sound but unprecedented
wild speculation sent the share price rocketing
to unrealistic levels. Inevitably the ‹bubble› burst;
the Company was bankrupted, many investors ruined,
and the ‹Système Law› discredited. – Cole,
The Great Mirror of Folly, 1949; Sperling, 205;
Goldsmiths’-Kress 5879; Sabin 28932; Lipperheide
3550.
Farinati, Paolo. Diverses Figures a l’eau forte
de petits Amours, Anges vollants, et Enfans,
… ensemble plus.rs sortes de Masques. Paris,
A. Bosse, 1644. Oblong 4to, (197 × 250 mm),
ll. 30 of numbered engraved plates; early
eighteenth-century vellum-backed marbled
boards. CHF 8800.–
First edition of a very appealing series of engravings
by Abraham Bosse after designs by the Italian
artist and draughtsman Paolo Farinati (1524–
1606). Farinati’s chiaroscuro drawings were often
used as ‹modelli›. The plates depict small cupids
and angels (22 plates) and the remaining eight
plates show masks. – Blum, 940–943; Cicognara
2028; see Berlin 4355; Saur XXXVII, pp. 53–54.
Smith, Adam. An Inquiry into the Nature
and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. London,
A. Strahan, 1793. Three volumes, 8vo, pp. x,
499; vi, 518, [5] appendix; v, [1] blank, 465,
[1] blank, 49, [1] advertisements; contemporary
full mottled calf, spine gilt, head of spine
chipped. CHF 3600.–
An attractive eighteenth century edition of ‹The
Wealth of Nations›, the first and greatest classic
of modern economic thought (PMM). – Kress
B2618; Goldsmiths’ 15565; ESTC t95380; Vanderblue
p. 4.
116 24th ILAB International Antiquarian Book Fair