Catalogue de la Bibliothèque des Livres de feu l'abbé Rive, acquise par les Citoyens Chauffard et Colomby, Mis en ordre par C. F. Achard, M.D.M.

A Marseille, de l'Imprimerie de Rochebrun et Mazet, 1793. 3 parts in 1 volume, 8vo. XVI. 159 pages. + 128 pages. + 64 pages (i.e. 70). 1 leaf. Contemporary half-leather, ornamented flat spine (a little bit restored). Rare catalogue, printed in Marseille, of the library of the celebrated Provence bibliographer Joseph-Jean Rive (1730-1791) who was in particular the librarian of one of the most famous bibliophile of his time, the duke of La Vallière, before becoming librarian of Méjanes in Aix-en-Provence. His library, summing up more than two thousands five hundred lots, contained many rarities - among which a Gutenberg Bible (lacking two leaves) - and it was purchased in block by Chauffrad, "juré-priseur", and Colomby, a bookseller from Marseille. Published in 1793, during the Terror, this sale catalogue was not an auction catalogue nor a sale catalogue with marked prices, but just an inventory of the books available for sale without any price indication. As stated in a preliminary note signed "L.H.D.L." the new owners had decided to give preferential treatment to the French buyers against the foreign boosellers. "Les Amateurs verront, avec plaisir, rentrer dans la circulation du Commerce des objets précieux, que les Propriétaires auraient pu céder, avec de grands avantages pour eux, à des Libraires étrangers. Ils se sont interdit cette espèce de monopole, ou d'accaparement littéraire, parce qu'ils ont préféré la satisfaction de leurs Concitoyens en divisant; où si l'on veut, la chance de la vente en détail à celles en totalité qu'on leur proposait". Stains on the title page. This copy contains the rare Avis leaf giving instructions to the buyers.