Renouard’s ‘Annals’ of the House of Aldus in 2 vols.

Renouard, Antoine Augustin: Annales de l’Imprimerie des Aldes ou Histoire des trois Manuce et de leurs Edition. Paris, Antoine-Augustin Renouard 1803.

First edition without the supplement of 1812 [as published in 1803]. 2 vols. 8vo pp[4], 446+engraved portrait frontispiece; xxviii, 250, [46], indices + 4pp, plates illustrating printer’s colophons. French language. Stamps of University of London Library (‘withdrawn’) to f.f.e.p.s. and title pages, blind stamps of Birkbeck college. Hinges cracked (but firm) between gathering 1 and verso type a page vol. 1, and in same place in vol 2 as well as between gathering 18 at 19. Marbled boards slightly scuffed with black leather labels two fine. Bump at head and tail of spine, corners bruised.

Overall a very good and robust set.

History of the printing house of Aldus Manutius through three generations. A grammarian and humanist, Aldus’ fame is above all connected to his greatness as a typographer and editor.