Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books and Medieval Manuscripts was established in 1978 on a ping pong table in a basement in Kalamazoo, Michigan. From the beginning, its founder was willing to sell a range of material (both because this approach made the work more educational than otherwise and because it gave him a good excuse for not being an expert in any particular specialty). Over the years, the business has gravitated toward historical artifacts that are physically attractive in some way-illuminated material, fine bindings, books printed on vellum, fore-edge paintings, beautiful typography and paper, impressive illustration. But the company nevertheless sells a wide range of things, from (scruffy) ninth century leaves to biblical material from all periods to Wing and STC imprints to modern privately printed books. While we are forgiving about condition when something is of considerable rarity, we always try to obtain the most attractive copies possible of whatever works we offer for sale. For the past 22 years, we have been fortunate to represent one of the country's most important collectors. This collaboration means that, apart from our own inventory, we have a continuing interest in building his collection of visually arresting books (items of unusual size, with beautiful bindings, and/or containing striking illustrations) and of other material that is extraordinarily odd or interesting, especially if (but not exclusively) relating to the history of medicine.
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FACSIMILE OF THE LAWS AND ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR THEIR MAJESTIES PROVINCE OF NEW-YORK
by (VELLUM PRINTING). (GROLIER CLUB)
New York : [Printed at the De Vinne Press for] The Grolier Club , 1894 (click for more details)TEXT FROM HOURS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
by A MEDIEVAL ILLUMINATED VELLUM MANUSCRIPT LEAF FROM A BOOK OF HOURS, WITH A MINIATURE OF PENTECOST BY THE WORKSHOP OF MAÎTRE FRANÇOIS
Northern France ca. 1475 (click for more details)THE PRINCESS; A MEDLEY
by (BINDINGS - SANGORSKI & SUTCLIFFE). TENNYSON, ALFRED
London : Edward Moxon and Co , 1860 (click for more details)TEXT FROM THE JOYS OF THE VIRGIN
by A MEDIEVAL ILLUMINATED VELLUM MANUSCRIPT LEAF FROM A BOOK OF HOURS, WITH A MINIATURE OF THE VIRGIN AND CHILD BY THE WORKSHOP OF MAÎTRE FRANÇOIS
Northern France ca. 1475 (click for more details)LA VIE ET LES AVANTURES DE ROBINSON CRUSOË
by (BINDINGS - SIMIER). DEFOE, DANIEL
Paris : Chez la Veuve Panckoucke , An 8 [1799-1800] (click for more details)Recent Catalogs
Catalogue 81: Early Books and Manuscripts
Early Books and Manuscripts
Recent Catalogs
Catalogue 80: Women Binders
Catalogue 80 featuring work by women binders from the Arts & Crafts movement of the late 19th century to the present.