Maguelone (La Belle). Printed by Trepperel. 1492.  Quarto.  The preceding title is over Trepperel’s device.  The wood cuts in this edition have rather unusual merit; especially that on the reverse of Ciiii.  A very desirable copy.

Marco Polo.  Von Venedig des Grost Landtfarer.  Germanice. Printed by Creusner. 1477.  Folio.  This is the FIRST EDITION of the Travels of MARCO POLO; and I am not sure whether the present copy be not considered unique.[131] A complete paginary and even lineal transcript of it was obtained for Mr. Marsden’s forth-coming translation of the work, into our own language—­under the superintendence of M. Kopitar.  Its value, therefore, may be appreciated accordingly.

Regnars (Les) “trauersant les perilleuses voyes des folles frances du moede.” Printed by Verard. No Date. 4to.  This is a French metrical version from the German of Sebastian Brandt.  The present edition is printed in the black letter, double columns, with wood cuts.  This is a fair good copy, bound in red morocco, and formerly belonging to Prince Eugene.

Tewrdannckh. 1517.  Folio.  The Emperor Maximilian’s OWN COPY!—­of course UPON VELLUM.  The cuts are coloured.  The Abbe Strattman had told me that I should necessarily find this to be the largest and completest copy in existence.  It is very white and tall, measuring fifteen inches, by nine and three quarters; and perhaps the largest known.  Yet I suspect, from the smooth glossy surface of the fore edge—­in its recent and very common-place binding, in russia—­that the side margin was once broader.[132] The cuts should not have been coloured, and the binding should haye been less vulgar:  Here is ANOTHER COPY, not quite so large, with the cuts uncoloured.[133]

Tristran:  chlr de la table ronde “nouellement Imprime a Paris.”  Folio. Printed by Verard. Without Date.  This is a fine sound copy, in old handsome calf binding.

Thucydide (L’hystoire de). Printed by G. Gourmont. Without Date.  Folio.  The translator was Claude de Seyssel, when Bishop of Marseilles, and the edition was printed at the command of Francis the First.  It is executed in the small, neat, secretary gothic type of Gourmont; whose name is at the bottom of the title-page.  This is a beautiful copy, struck off UPON VELLUM; but it is much cut in the fore edge, and much choked in the back of the binding, which is in red morocco.  It belonged to PRINCE EUGENE.

* * * * *

Comparatively copious as may be the preceding list, I fear it will not satisfy you unless I make some mention of Block Books, and inform you whether, as you have long and justly supposed, there be not also a few Cartons in the Imperial Library.  These two points will occupy very little more of my time and attention.  First then of xylographical productions—­or of books supposed to have