Lettres Patentes Et Statuts Pour La Bibliotheque De L'Université de Caen by Caen. Université. Bibliothèque - 1731

Caen: Antoine Cavelier, 1731. Stabbed in original paper wrappers (spine frayed), manuscript shelfmark No. 3 on the front.

            ONLY EDITION OF THE LIBRARY STATUTES and the enabling royal Letters Patent. John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford (1389-1435), established the University of Caen in 1432. By 1515, its library had some 300 books. By 1701, eleven remained. The present document put the book collection on a new footing with a full-time librarian (duties listed). The library was non-circulating and was open to the public Tuesdays and Fridays. The books were to bear the university's arms, be shelved by subject, be regularly inventoried and cataloged alphabetically. Aided by the new rules and funding, the library grew from 657 books in 1732 to 7,114 in 1759. Among the benefactors' portraits is that of the PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY, ANTOINE CAVELIER, FOR HIS 2,000 LIVRES DONATION FOR ACQUISITIONS. I have not located a copy outside of Europe. In original condition (worm hole touching a couple letters on each page).
¶Histoire des bibliothèques françaises: Les bibliothèques sous l'Ancien Régime 1530-1789 ed. Jolly 524; Répertoire bibliographique des livres imprimés en France au XVIIIe siècle VIII: 3112