J. Pearson Catalogue 200 Important Books Manuscripts Autograph Letters

Rare and historically significant antiquarian bookseller’s catalogue issued by J. Pearson & Co., London (c. early 20th century), presenting Two Hundred Extraordinarily Important Books, Manuscripts and Autograph Letters. Includes descriptions and prices for treasures such as La Fontaine’s Fables Choisies (1668), Bacon’s Historie of Henry VII, Zola holograph manuscripts, early aeronautics material, and more. An evocative document of the rare book trade’s golden era, providing provenance evidence and price history for some of the most important works in world literature and science. Collectible both as an antiquarian catalogue and as a primary source for bibliographic research.

Author: J. Pearson & Co.

Publisher: J. Pearson & Co., 5 Pall Mall Place, London, S.W.

Topic: Rare books, manuscripts, autograph letters, bookselling history

Subject: Bibliography, book history, antiquarian books, provenance research

Keywords: J. Pearson, rare book catalogue, books about books, antiquarian bibliography, La Fontaine Fables, Zola manuscript, Bacon Henry VII, aeronautics history, provenance, London bookseller

Year: ca. 1900–1920

Condition

Good only. Original wraps present but worn, with staining, spotting, and edge wear; spine perished with gatherings loosening; occasional foxing and toning; complete. A fragile but intact survival of a scarce trade catalogue, with text clean and legible throughout.

** Catalogues issued by J. Pearson & Co. are considerably scarcer in the market than those of contemporaries such as Maggs Bros. or Rosenbach. This example documents major rarities, including La Fontaine’s Fables Choisies (1668), Bacon’s Historie of Henry VII (1622), and holograph manuscripts by Émile Zola, and provides early 20th-century price and provenance data invaluable to collectors and researchers alike. While condition is worn, the completeness and content make it a highly desirable bibliographic artifact.