Hobson (Anthony R.A.), 1921-2014

(30.5 cm), xix, 275 pp., illustrations (some in colour). Publisher’s cloth, printed dust jacket. - A revision of the author’s 1991 Lyell lectures, supplying concise accounts of Grolier’s library (usefully complemented by Nixon’s list of Grolier bindings, slightly expanded, arranged chronologically and by workshop) and of Mendoza’s library (perhaps 2000 titles, of which Hobson has identified 1200). These narratives are complemented by a chapter on bookbinders active in Venice during the seven years (1539-1546) Mendoza was resident: the “Mendoza binder” (working in Venice as early as 1518, in close connection with the Greek community in Venice, free-lance and for the Manuzio-Torresano partnership); the “Fugger binder”; the “Cicero binder”; Anthoni Lodewijk; the “Agnese binder” (Bartolomeo di Giovanni da Fino?); and the “Emblematic binder”. Lists of bindings associated with each of these shop are appended. First edition (reprinted in 2012 as paperback, with all illustrations in black & white). ¶ Excellent, unmarked copy.