Catalogo di una Scelta e Copiosa Collezione di Library Greci, Latini, Italiani, Francesi, Inglesi, Spagnoli, Tedeschi, Ec.: Alcuni Dei Quali Di Un Merito Assai Distinto

Firenze: Prezzo del presente Catalogo Paoli 2, e mezzo Fiorentini, 1806. 8vo.  175 x 120 mm., [7 x 4 ½ inches].  [4], 210 pp.  Later blue paper wrappers; title-page a bit soiled, paper stock lightly browned with age; otherwise, a very good, sound copy.
Giovacchino Pagani was a staple of the Florentine book trade, whose career spanned from 1770 to the late 1820’s.  He began his career working in partnership with Vicenzio Landi but by 1780 had his own imprint and printed and sold books of all kinds.  This catalogue issued in 1806 contains around “dodici mila volumi” (12,000) in all fields of literature and science, printed (truncated) in Latin, Italian, French, English, Spanish and German.  It is priced and is principally of books printed in the 16th-and 17th-centuries and is organized by language and then alphabetically by author.
A study of the various database for catalogues issued by Pagani demonstrates his longevity in the trade.  His first catalogue appeared in 1781 and was a joint venture selling the books of Pier Antonio Marche of Florence.  His first catalogue under his own banner that we know of was published in 1791 and was 68 page and is known in one copy.  This was followed by a catalogue issued in 1802, containing 79 pages and is also known in 1 copy.  Then Pagani issued his 1806 catalogue in 210 pages, and it appears this is the only known copy.  This was followed by a catalogue issued in 1809 in 207 pages known in 2 copies in Italy cited, and then a catalogue issued in 1814 in 288 pages know in copies at the Newberry Library and Harvard.
The Grolier Club has in its holding the 1781 catalogue as well as catalogues issued in 1825, 1826, 1827, 1829, 1830 and 1833.  The 1806 catalogue is fugitive to the Grolier Collection. . (Inventory #: 1324)