Koops´ rare book on paper manufacturing 1800
Klubbat för:
8000 SEK
Estimate
12 000-15 000 SEK
Description
PAPER. (KOOPS, MATTHIAS). Historical account of the substances which have been used to describe events, and to convey ideas, from the earliest date, to the invention of paper. London (printed by T. Burton) 1800.
Large 8:oo (253x150 mm.). (5), 6-91, (1 blank) pp. (signed [A2]-Z2, leaf X2 blank). Vertical chain-lines. Printed on laid straw paper with an appendix (pp. 85-92), printed on (laid) wood paper according to the author. Wood-engraved crest and decorative tail-piece.
Contemporary black straight-grained morocco, slightly worn, spine decorated in gilt (oxidised), marbled endpapers.
The first edition which, according to Crocker, appeared in two distinct variants (A and B, A preceded B). The present copy is apparently "variant B", printed on large paper. In 1800 and 1801 the Great Seal patent Office, London, granted three patents to Matthias Koops. The first was for the extraction og printing and writing ink from paper before repulping. The second and third patents covered the manufacture of paper from straw, hay, thistles, waste and refuse of hemp and flax and different kinds of wood and bark, This first edition of Koops' Historical Account... reveals that Koops had an impressive knowledge of the history of papermaking (the 2nd edition also reveals his knowledge of the history of writing) and he provides much statistical information on the current state of the paper industry in Britain and elsewhere in Europe. "However, his main purpose was to publicise his own patents by demonstrating that his straw, wood, and re-made papers were suitable for printing. Also he presents his case for preventing foreigners from gaining access to the specification of his patents and making use of them freely on the Continent, where they were not protected" (Crocker).
Alan Crocker: "A study of Matthias Koops' book on the history of papermaking", in: Paper as a Medium of Cultural Heritage, 2004, S. 73-85, Dard Hunter. Papermaking. The History and Technique of an ancient craft, New York 1942, pp. 251-256 and p. 306.
From the library of Swedish antiquarian bookdealer Björn Löwendahl (1941-2013).
Photo.
Auktionsnummer:
6005
Date:
2015-12-15