MORGAN, JOHN PIERPONT / LAFFAN, WILLIAM M.: - Catalogue of the Morgan Collection of Chinese Porcelain. Volume one (of two). New York, Privately printed by Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan, Devinne Press, 1904.

. Pp. (xvii), 196. With 77 chromolithographs, protected by tissue guards. Some minor staining. Contemporary morocco, upper edges gilt, covers ruled in gilt, spine with five raised bands and titled in gilt, lightly rubbed, front hinge strengthened, silk pastedowns. With old dedication dated 1905 on front endpaper. First edition, limited to 250 copies for private circulation. The catalogue comprises 1115 wares including vases, bowls, plates, cups, teapots, bottles, figures, statues, garnitures, incense burners, etc. They are all well described including measurements and dates. At end an index of cases with key numbers and schematic drawings. The preface is an introduction to the history of Chinese porcelain, its exports to Europe and the difficulties of dating Chinese porcelain. It's written by William M. Laffan. "The collection is the most comprehensive that is known, and it has been described as succinctly and lucidly as appeared possible, and without any technicalities that could be avoided" (preface of second edition). A second edition was published in 1907 (by Stephen Bushell and William Laffan) in connection with an exhibition of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum. That edition only has b/w plates. John Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913) was an American banker and one of the greatest art and book collectors of his time. His son J.P. Morgan Jr. created the Pierpont Morgan Library a public institution in 1924 as a memorial to his father. In 1911 a second volume was published.

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