Histoire et Monuments des Emaux Byzantins (Collection de Mr. A. V. Zvenigorodskoi).

Frankfurt am Main, A. Osterrieht, (1889-) 1892. With 31 chromolithographed plates in gold and colors with tissue guards, and with chromolithographed dedication leaf to Tsar Alexander III printed in gold and colors on an embossed silver ground, portrait frontispiece of Zvenigorodskoi, chromolithographed additional title, title printed in red within chromolithographic border, chromolithographic divisional titles and tall-pieces, colored and gilt initials and decoration, many large and small wood-engraved illustrations, elaborate embroidered silk bookmark (zakladka) attached. XI, 388 pp. Thick-4to (360 x 265 mm). Orig. percaline cloth elaborately blocked, decorated and lettered richly in gold and black, colored and edges printed in various colors, all edges gilt and gauffered, printed decorative gilt endpapers (lacks silk brocade dust-jacket, front cover somewhat rubbed, spine slightly restored).. Unidentified Exlibris, and probably from the collection of Ernest Augustus, Crown Prince of Hanover, 3rd Duke of Cumberland. In a red leather box, covered with green silk imitation. Frankfurt am Main, A. Osterrieht, (1889-) 1892. First edition in French, transl. from the orig. Russian by F. Travinsky. This is no. 38 of an edition limited to 200 limited to 200 copies. A lavish record of Count Alexandr Viktorovich Zvenigorodskoi's spectacular collection of early medieval Byzantine enamels that were later acquired by J. P. Morgan, which is now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Kondakov (1844-1925) was a Russian art historian and is one of the founders of the study of Byzantine art history. Illustrated with fine illustrations this is one of the most beautiful, expensively and sumptuous Russian books of the 19th century ever produced. According to Vengerov, o.c. "One of the greatest bibliographic rarities"...the book is undoubtedly a masterpiece of the Russian printing industry. It has no equals either in terms of workmanship or in terms of the funds involved...it cost 120'000 roubles in gold by the exchange rate for 1892 ". There were 600 copies printed, 200 each in Russian, French and German, all of which were designated for presentation rather than for sale. Recipient of this copy probably was Ernst August (1845-1923) the last Hanoverian prince to hold a British royal title and the Order of the Garter (see encl. photocopy of a letter of donation by Zvenigorodskoi, dated June 20, 1894).- A good copy. Added to this monumental publication are: BOCK, Franz. Die byzantinische Zellenschmelze der Sammlung Dr. Alex. von Swenigorodskoi und das darüber veröffentlichte Prachtwerk. Archäölogisch-kunsthistorische Studie. Als Manuskript gedruckt. With illustrations in the text and 33 plates (1 in color, 1 double-page) at the end. XIII, 448 pp. Large-8vo. Orig. percaline cloth richly decorated in brown, gilt stamps, instalments gilt, decorated with Greek motifs, inside gilt, decorated guards, silk bookmark ending with pompon. Aachen, the author and La Ruelle'sche Akaziendruckerei, 1896. First edition, one of 300 copies privately printed. Franz Bock (1823-1899) was one of the founders of the Diözesanmuseum at Cologne. In 1852 he made the first large exhibition of ancient masterpieces of Christian art and curated a national exhibition of medieval vestment and precious gold items. This is his rare rapport on the book above offered for sale: N. P. Kodakov's monumental publication on Byzantine Enamels (Collection A. V. Zvenigorodskoi) 1802.- Small library stamp on fly-leaf, a nice copy. And: STASSOFF (or STASOV), W(ladimir). Geschichte des Buches Byzantinische Zellen-Emails A.W. Swenigorodskoi. Gold-enhanced chomolithographic Art Nouveau title in red with ms. presentation, 2 chromolithogr. plates, 3 wood-engraved plates and 1 engraved plate by W. W. Matthé. 272 pp., 1 leaf, VI ff. (plates). Large 4to (310 x 220 mm). Orig. white cloth, richtly decorated and lettered richly in gold and black, colored printed endpapers, all edges decorated in gold and red, with dark red book jacket. In orig. dark red box. St. Petersburg, n.pr., 1898. First German edition limited to 100 copies. This is copy no. 51 with a handwritten presentation to "Herrn Medicinalrath Dr. Grödel". Isidor Maximilian (Mayer) Grödel (1850-1921) was a student of the Munich radiologist G. Rieder, and pioneer in balneaolgy and cardiology. This is Vladimir Vasil'evich Stasov's (1824-1906) rare report on the most elaborate book production of Russia in the 19th century which is offered for sale here.- Splendid copy. - Fekula 6705 ("magnificent"); Vengerov, Old Russian Books, 77; Stasov, Istoriia Knigi (the history of this book). (1898). ART - GENERAL & APPLIED ; GREECE ; BYZANZ ;