Pierre Danican PHILIDOR

Pirate edition from the same year as the first edition of this bible of chess strategy, published by Philidor at the age of twenty-two.

Full olive morocco binding, dentelle boards framed by a gilt roulette motif, central gilt decoration in mandorla shape composed of a quatrefoil formed by basket-handle motifs richly decorated in gilt inside the lobes, gilt edges, top spine-end slightly rubbed, corners bumped, some rare spots of foxing, binding attributable to René-François Fétil, pupil of the great Padeloup, based on numerous tools found on bindings bearing Fétil’s ticket and listed in Giles Barber, The James A. de Rothschild Bequest at Waddesdon Manor. Printed Books and Bookbindings, 2013...

Exceedingly rare first edition. A sole copy in the U.S. (Newberry), out of only five listed on OCLC with the correct first edition pagination (British Library, BnF, Allard Pierson, Lucerne).

True first edition of Philidor’s chess book housed in a contemporary armorial binding of a noble chess player: Charles Theodore, Elector Palatine of the Rhine.

Later forming part of the library of famous chess player Lothar Schmid, chess grandmaster and arbiter of the 20th century, who assembled the largest and most prestigious private chess book collection in the world (according to Allan Savage, Caissa’s Legacy: The Great Chess Libraries).

Full brown sheepskin binding, boards with the arms of Charles...

Premier oeuvre contenant III. suittes a II. flûtes traversieres seules. Avec III. autres suittes dessus et basse, pour les hautbois, flûtes, violons, c.
Rare first edition. The personal copy of Charles-Louis-Auguste Le Tonnelier de Breteuil, to whom the epistle is dedicated: "A Monseigneur l'Abbé de Breteuil, Grand Maître de la chapelle [de musique] du roi [To Monsignor the Abbé de Breteuil, Master of the Royal Chapel of Music]". With a manuscript inscription to title and bottom of first page of musical notation. 
With the arms of Charles-Louis-Auguste Le Tonnelier de Breteuil, Marquis and Bishop of Rennes, a golden sparrowhawk on the wing against a blue background. In 1717, Charles de...