20 - [BIBLIOGRAPHY - FLANDERS]

[BIBLIOGRAPHY - FLANDERS] A collection of three rare bibliographic and scholarly monographs that are indispensable for understanding the history of collectors’ circles, typography, and major literary preservation institutions in Belgium and England during the 19th century. The lot includes: 1) KERVYN DE VOLKAERSBEKE, Philippe, *Les Bibliophiles flamands : leur histoire et leurs travaux* (Flemish Bibliophiles: Their History and Works), Ghent, Imprimerie de L. Hebbelynck, 1853. In-8°. Bottle-green half-maroquin. First edition, printed in a run of 200 unnumbered copies (1/25 on heavy vellum) of this historical account of the “Maetschappy der Vlaemsche Bibliophilen.” Included is an autograph letter signed in Dutch, dated February 12, 1853, from Ghent, from the founder and first president of the Flemish Bibliophiles, François Vergauwen, informing Kervyn de Volkaersbeke that he has indeed received the offprints of the article that the latter sent him: he thanks him. 2) CHÊNEDOLLÉ, Charles-Auguste-Lioult de, “Mélanges littéraires et bibliographiques, excerpts from volumes VII, VIII, and IX of the Bulletin du bibliophile belge,” Brussels, E. Devroye, 1853. In-8°. Bottle-green half-maroquin (spine sun-faded). Very rare collective first edition, printed in a run of only 50 copies. 3) DELEPIERRE, Octave, “Examination of the Contents of the British Museum Library, Excerpted from Authentic Documents Submitted to Parliament in 1846,” Brussels, A. Vandale, 1846. 12mo. Light brown glazed half-calf. First edition of this critical analysis of the British Museum library’s collections. Provenance: from the library of Philippe de Volkaersbeke (ex-libris or label from his library)