Bibliothecae Americanae Primordia : an attempt towards laying the foundation of an American library, in several books, papers, and writings, humbly given to the Society for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts, for the perpetual use and benefit of their members, their missionaries, friends, correspondents, and others concern'd in the good design of planting and promoting Christianity within Her Majesties colonies and plantations in the West-Indies.
London: J. Churchill, 1713 (1714). First edition. Hardcover. An interesting association copy of this book, considered the earliest catalogue of books devoted to the entire American continent, the first owner being Achille-Guillaume Le Begue de Presle (1735-1807), friend of Rousseau's, and prolific writer in the fields of medicine, health, natural history & cuisine.
Signed "A.G. Lebegue de Presle" on title page. Starting in 1759, he wrote for 30 years, including "Dictionnaire Portatif de Cuisine..." 1767; Relation des derniers jours de M.H.H. Rousseau, 1779; and numerous other medical works on nervous maladies, poisonous insects, the use of mercury, treatment of disease amongst soldiers and the flora of Paris.
Bishop White Kennett (1660-1728), an original member of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, was also an antiquary and book collector. This work records his library of just over 1,200 books, ephemera and manuscripts, arranged chronologically. Although this is regarded as the earliest catalogue devoted to the entire American continent, particularly New England, there is an exception. "This is Antonio Rodriguez de Leon Pinelo's "Epitome de la biblioteca Oriental i Occidental, Nautica i Geografica (Madrid, Juan Gonzalez, 1629). The Epitome, in the section devoted to "Biblioteca Occidental," is essentially Spanish and Portuguese American, while the Kennett catalogue is devoted to publications of his 'own Countrymen'. Thus, the two works complement one another". See Frederick Goff's introduction in "The Primordia of Bishop White Kennett, the First English Bibliography on America" (Washington, DC: Pan American Union, 1959).
OCLC: 80340265 cites 8 libraries, irregular paging and only 250 copies printed. 8vo, xvi, iii, 3-275; An Index of the Matters, Persons and Places contain'd in the preceding Catalogue, 112 lea. "No. 125-132 (sig. Ll-Mm) repeated. Index (pages not numbered) sig. Cccc-Mmmmmm in two ...An addition of some other books and papers humbly given to the Society ..." and "Index," by Robert Watts./ The dedication is dated Oct. 20, 1713, but the Advertisement has date Nov. 1, 1714, and the "addition" contains entries of books published in 1714./ The entries are arranged chronologically by date of publication; "extracts" from Purchas and Hakluyt are entered under date of voyage described." (OCLC). Nicely rebound in full brown half calf, red & gilt title labels. A small ex-lib stamp on the title page for "Ecole Sainte Genevieve". Text block clean but some quires quite browned on Bbbb to Cccc (4pp); Gggg to Qqqq (36pp); Rrrr to Uuuu (12pp). Sabin 37447; Breslauer & Folter 93.
Overall, an good copy of a rare book. Item #26909
Price: $4,750.00