Kloss (Dr. Georg) Catalogue of the Library of...Printed Books with MS Annotations, by Philip Melancthon, 8 folding facsimile plates of Melancthon's drawing and hand-writing, priced in a contemporary hand, occasional spotting, contemporary half calf over marbled boards, spine gilt with double morocco label, discreetly rebacked retaining original back-strip, very small amounts of rubbing to extremities, t.e.g., [Bigmore and Wyman 375], 8vo, Sotheby & Son, 1835.

⁂ Georg Kloss (1787-1854) was a celebrated Frankfurt-based book collector, sometimes making acquisitions through the wholesale purchase of monastic libraries. Of particular renown was his collection of manuscripts and books written or annotated by Reformation theologian, Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560), whose handwriting and drawings are reproduced in the plates here-in life-size. The discovery of so much of Melanchthon’s handwriting [in this sale] was described as ‘one of the most extraordinary in the annals of literature, and cannot fail of riveting the attention of all lovers of bibliography’ (The Gentleman’s Magazine, April 1835, pp.417-418)

Provenance: Anthony Hobson (1921-2014), book auctioneer, book historian (particularly bindings) and bibliophile (armorial bookplates, and a few pencil marks).