BIBLIOTHECA PHILLIPPICA. [with] MUNBY, A. N. L. PHILLIPPS STUDIES

1965-81; 1951-60 · [London]

by (PHILLIPPS, SIR THOMAS). (BOOKS ON BOOKS)

[London]: Sotheby & Co, 1965-81; 1951-60. 34 volumes in all: 32 catalogs plus "Phillips Studies" bound as five volumes in two..
11 volumes of the catalogues in original green printed boards, the other 21 in original green paper wrappers; "Phillips [sic] Studies" with tan half morocco over beige buckram by Sangorski & Sutcliffe (stamp-signed on the verso of the front free endpaper), raised bands, spine lettered in gilt. Catalogs with numerous photographic plates, including several in color. "Phillips Studies" with 41 total plates, including a frontispiece in each volume. Phillips Studies with a presentation letter from Lionel and Philip Robinson. (truncated) Both "Phillips Studies" volumes with small lightened and darkened areas to covers reflecting insect visitation, but the bindings unworn and looking attractive on the shelf; internally fine. The Sotheby's catalogues with only trivial signs of use, and internally very clean.

The 32 catalogs in this group of related material represent the entire second series of sales at Sotheby's of many manuscripts and early printed works from the famed collection of Sir Thomas Phillipps (1792–1872), an obsessive bibliophile and the manager of the Middle Hill Press, who during his lifetime amassed over 60,000 manuscripts and 40,000 printed books. (These sales, which spanned over a decade and took place in London and New York, were the second set of auctions of Phillipps' collection, following a series of sales held between 1886 and 1938.) They are here accompanied by "Phillipps Studies," the definitive work on Phillipps' life and library. It was compiled by Alan Noel Latimer Munby (1913-1974), fellow and librarian of King’s College, Cambridge, and himself a noted bibliophile. In five volumes (here bound in two), Munby painstakingly records the history of this collection, including its acquisition and eventual dispersal, as well as Phillipps’ personal life and his own catalogues of his collection. Our copy is accompanied by a personal letter from Lionel and Philip Robinson, London antiquarian booksellers who had a major hand in the collection’s eventual dispersal. Following several initial sales, the Robinsons purchased the entire remaining collection in 1946, which at that time included a still-impressive portion of the library as well as Phillipps’ personal papers, which they lent to Munby in the preparation of this book. Their letter, tucked into the book, indicates that this copy was given by them as a gift. Dated September 1962, it reads "For Molly, who knows our part of the Phillipps story so well. Love, Lionel & Philip.". (Inventory #: ST19567-168)

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