(Mair, Paul Hector)

GESCHLECHTER BUCH: Darin der Loblichen Kaiserliche Reichs Statt Augsburg…[Robert Hoe III] [Francis Bedford]

Sigmund Feyrabend: Frankfort am Mayne, 1580. Hardcover. Very Good. Item #23-0143

Woodcuts, 12 x 8", full dark blue Morocco, gilt dec raised bands, three spine panels with decoration, two panels with gilt lettering, covers gilt ruled with floral dec, AEG, signed binding by F. Bedford, 162pp plus two unnumbered pp, only two full pages of text, the remaining pp are all woodcuts. Edgeworn, lower corners bumped, wear along spine, light scratches to cover, front inner hinge cracked, leather bookplate (Robert Hoe), scattered light foxing, small repair in side margin of 103-104 else very good to fine condition. Woodcuts of men in various armor with shields featuring their coats of arms (ie. Sattelin, Vogelin). Images sharp. This book "Geschlecter Buch" was attributed to Paul Hector Mair, a fencing master from Augsburg who was obsessed with martial arts who created a compendium which included mounted combat and jousting. The above described title was issued the year after he was hanged for theft (his obsession proved too costly…). Robert Hoe III was a well-known collector of manuscripts and rare books including the Gutenberg Bible, Malory's 1485 edition of "Morte d'Arthur", fifteen Shakespeare quartos and Caxton's first edition of "The Canterbury Tales" c. 1477. Upon his death his collection was auctioned off, auction attendees included well known collectors such as Henry E. Huntington and J.P. Morgan. A gorgeous book with woodcuts that are absolutely stunning. An extremely, extremely SCARCE volume.

Price: $5,000.00