Author: MARTH, J.D.- [F. RAMBERG engr.]
Title: Exemples d'Ecriture françoise a l'usage des Collèges et des Ecoles par J.D. Marth [Calligraphy] avec privilège exclusif en faveur du Collège Royal françois.
Description: Berlin, No publisher, 1804. Oblong 4to. Prize book. Writing book containing 27 [of 31] [Engraved title plus 26 leaves] unnumbered copper engraved leaves. ['J.D.Marth scrip. .. F.Ramberg sculp.']. In original marbled paper covers, w. on both covers a gilt heraldic supralibros [Crowned Sceptre]. [=unknown device]. (27 lvs.). (The last few lvs. vague & light watersp. to righthand margin, a few foxed spots here and there, unimportant.). (Verso printed title a silhouette figure depicting in all probability the recipient of the prize; Verso upper cover a letterpress schoolprize, see note). Good copy. Berlin, 4955 [31 plates]. Bonacini, 1146: Sold as a collection of 27 leaves of calligraphic examples. Rare Berlin printed calligraphic exercises in French on 27 full page engraved leaves. The engraving done by F. Ramberg. The letterpress prize, awarded to P. August Rostorff [?] for his accomplishments in the field of calligraphy, 'In Classe Calligraphica Tertia', signed in ink 1804, J.P. Ermann. The silhouette on verso of the engraved title might be of the recipient. The gilt supralibros, a crown w. 2 heraldic lillies within its shape, beneath it a sceptre, not found in Silvestre, Ris-Paquot, Lugt, etc. As so often with writing books, first and later owners were not very scrupulous about the contents of these books. More often than not leaves were either not included in their choice from the publisher, or leaves were taken out of a collection when a single sample was needed elsewhere, in both instances leading to incomplete or less complete series. Sold as is.

Keywords: manuals schrijfboeken engravings Beurs letters