Laire, Francois Xavier

Specimen historicum typographiae romanae xv. saeculi

      Brussels: Mnoaldini, 1778. (HISTORY OF PRINTING) First edition. 8vo. Title in red and black with engraved vignette, 1 folding plate. Contemporary half vellum and decorated paper boards. Lovely copy (one small paper flaw on p. 269) of a beautifully printed book. Bigmore & Wyman I 416; BRUNET III 774-75 . "Laire was one of the most learned bibliographers of France during the 18th century ... ..At one time he was librarian of Cardinal Brienne; subsequently he became librarian at the Ecole centrale de l'Yonne, where he remained to his death" (Bigmore & Wyman). Presentation copy, inscribed by the recipient, ' Ludov. Huber Zeloso', dated 1778 (the year of publication)