The Collection of Otto Schäfer. Part I: Italian Books.

Abstract

Items 3-7 of this beautiful catalogue are books of Aesopic fables with asking prices that start with $300,000 for del Tuppo's 1485 version (#3, also illustrated in the frontispiece). Each edition receives an extensive historical comment, an illustration, and a half-page of technical data. #4 is from Boninus de Boninis, third edition, 1487, with Accio Zucco as translator and editor; it is also pictured on the book's cover. #5 and #6 are both Venetian, both based at least in part on the original Venetian woodcuts of Bernardino Benalio (1487). #7 is an 1800 Bodoni that has an asking price of only $2000-3000. I ordered the book on a good tip from June Clinton. It is the 2000th book in my collection.