[Bibliography. Incunabula] (Heinecken, K.H. von). Idee generale d'une collection complette d'estampes

Avec une dissertation sur l'origine de la gravure & sur les premiers livres d'Images. Leipsic and Viennam J.P. Kraus, 1771, (16),520,(32) p., w. 32 (fold.) engr. plates and ills. in the text, contemp. mottled calf, gilt and ribbed spine w. mor. letterpiece. A bit foxed. Leather over joints are split, but good holding on cords. A good copy.

Bigmore/ Wyman, Bibliography of Printing, p. 310-320. First edition of the first systematic guide to collecting prints, block books and the earliest printed books. The author was director of the Kupferstich-Kabinette in Dresden, art historian and collector, owner of one of the finest private collections of early engravings and woodcuts. With old annotation in pen on first free endpaper: "Ms. Le baron d'Heyneken. No. 1874 de la bibliothèque de mr. de la Valière. (w. the price of purchase and illegible owner's entry "Le marquis de Fouqeraux" (?)). Indeed, vol. one of the auction catalogue "Catalogue des livres de la bibliothèque de feu de M. le Duc de la Vallière" (1783, online available) lists this copy as number 1874 on page 542.