Susanne Schulz-Falster Catalogue Ten

8vo, engraved frontispiece, pp. 126; title within decorative border;
elegantly printed on strong paper; contemporary full mottled sheep,
rebacked with gilt-lettered spine label, endpapers renewed.
First edition of an interesting and well-researched debate concerning the
involvement of the nobility in trade and commerce. Coyer’s Noblesse
Commercante was clearly the starting point of a general debate on this question,
but Ghirlanda maintains that his arguments are directed at the situation
in Milan in particular. He comments on the fact that nations
dependent on trade and commerce are more likely to form alliances, live
amicably with their neighbours, and make scientiWc advances in navigation
and technology. Despite their ‘natural’ occupation in the army or the government,
the nobility has a valuable contribution to make in advancing
trade and commerce. Ghirlanda cites extensively from earlier writers and his
contemporaries in his historical overview, and compares the situation in
ancient Rome, sixteenth century Holland, and the Italian city states.
Goldsmiths’–Kress 10994.3–1
135 GIOJA, Melchiorre. Esercizio Logico sugli Errori d’Ideologia
e Zoologia ossia Arte di Trar ProWtto dai Cattivi Libri ... Milano,
Giovanni Pirotta, Maggio 1824. £320
8vo, pp. xv, [i], 320; some light spotting, contemporary roan-backed
marbled boards; spine decoratively gilt; an attractive copy.
First edition of a fascinating treatise on logic in relation to human nature and
evolutionary theory. Gioja argues that through the application of logic and
common sense proWt and knowledge can be derived from ‘bad books’. He
applies his principles to various theories of human evolution, and classiWes
the arguments into ‘false’, ‘inexact’, ‘contradictory’ and ‘incomplete’. Despite
his even-handed approach, the work was put on the index. Gioja (1767–
1829) wrote mostly on economics, statistics, morals and logic.
Einaudi 2569.
136 GIOJA, Melchiore. Problema quali sono i Mezzi più spediti,
più eYcaci, più economici per alleviare l’attuale Miseria del Popolo
in Europa. Discorso popolare dell’autore del Nuovo Prospetto delle
Scienze Economiche. Milano, Gio. Pirotta, Gennaio 1817. £300
8vo, pp. 112; entirely uncut, in the original wrappers; a Wne copy.
First edition of Gioja’s pertinent analysis of the economic problems of Europe,
due to the vagaries of climate and weather. These are the cause for the
high price of provisions and also the lack of work, or increase in unemployment.
Gioja refers to public works projects by Rumford in Munich, Baron
Voght in Hamburg and recommends similar projects for Italy. As the way
forward he recommends the increase in manufacturing industry, especially
large sized ones. To combat the high price of provisions, he suggests more
susanne schulz-falster rare books catalogue ten
stringent government interventions to stabilise grain prices and guarantee
suYcient supplies.
Cossa 97 (72); Goldsmiths’–Kress 21934.7; not in Einaudi; a second edition was
published the same year.
Energy Conservation
137 GIRAO, Antonio Lobo de Barbosa Ferreira Teixeira.
Memoria sobre a Economia do Combustivel, por meio de varios
Melhoramentos que se devem fazer nos lares ordinaries, fornalhas,
fornos et fogoens. Com as precisas estampas ... Lisboa, Imprensa
Nacional, 1834. £450
Large 8vo, pp. 223, with 5 folding lithograph plates; uncut and mostly
unopened in the original pale blue wrappers; spine a little worn and
small hole to upper wrapper; a good copy.
First edition of this Portuguese contribution to the science of energy conservation.
Girao, the prefect of Estramadour, is clearly aware of earlier and
contemporary European developments such as wood-saving ovens, insulation
materials, high pressure cookers and improved chimneys, based on the
developments of Rumford, Chaptal, Derosne et al. In this very detailed treatise
he adapts numerous energy saving devices for use in Portugal, with information
on their construction, illustrated on the lithographed plates.
The adoption of energy saving measures was of particular importance for
Portugal as it had no energy sources apart from wood. Girao points out the
detrimental eVects of deforestation. The fact that fruit trees are cut to provide
Wre wood he terms a particular sacrilege and argues for wide-scale organised
reforestation.
No copy found in RLIN or OCLC, where some of his other publications on wine
and economics are listed.
Vienna Rental Market
138 GNOL, von. Meine Gedanken über die Zimmerherren in
Wien. Wien, Sebastian Hartl. 1782. £300
8vo, pp. 22, [2] blank; woodcut vignette to title, head- and tail-piece;
recent marbled boards.
Sub-letting in eighteenth century Vienna – an intriguing study of the
‘rental’ market. After some initial comments on the reasons for subletting a
room in the spacious apartments of Vienna, Gnol describes the requirements
of those looking for a room to rent. Young upstarts will make some
initial inquiries as to the generosity of the apartment owner, the presence of
pretty young women in the house etc. Once they have moved in, they will
ingratiate themselves with the housewife, Xirt with the daughters, and generally
irritate the head of the household.
Rare, KVK lists a copy at the Austrian National Library; RLIN and OCLC add a
further copy at the University of Minnesota.