Recherches historiques, littéraires et critiques, sur l'origine de l'imprimerie; particulièrement sur ses premiers établissements, au XVme siècle, dans la Belgique, maintenant réunie à la République française.

8vo; 2 pl. (occ. foxing).

Half vellum, flat spine (spine repaired, corners rubbed).

First edition of the first book specifically dedicated to the spread of the printing art in Belgium during the 15th century, by the French scholar Lambinet (1742-1813), who settled in the former Low Countries in 1772. It's considered as the "real starting point of the history of the book in Belgium" (Delsaerdt). Ill. with 2 engr. pl. figuring the tombstone of Dirk Martens and a member of the Brethren of the Common Life.
Ref. Bigmore & Wyman 418. - Verschaffel, Historici, p. 64. - Delsaerdt, P. - "Pierre Lambinet (1742-1813) et les débuts de l'histoire du livre en Belgique", in The Quintessence of Lives. Turnhout, Brepols, 2010, pp. 293-318. - Adam, R. - Vivre et imprimer dans les Pays-Bas méridionaux, I:19/21.
Prov. Libr. stamps.