Catalogue 207: Eleven Subjects

Kraus, Hans. Peter (October 12, 1907 – November 1, 1988). Catalogue 207. 1997; Eleven Subjects. Illustrated printed wrappers, large 8vo, 142 pp, ills. 258 items. Contents: Almanachs, Calendars, & Prognostications: Nos. 1-29; Balneology, Climatology & Oceanography: Nos. 30-41; the British Isles: Nos. 42-82; Children's Books & Paedagogy: Nos. 83-99; Gardening & Husbandry Nos. 100-120; Geography & Travel Nos. 121-143; Illustrated Books Nos. 144-169; Incunabula Nos. 170-194; North America Nos. 195-217; Science: Natural History & Medicine Nos. 218-233; Typography Nos. 234-258. Fine.

Hans Peter Kraus, also known as H. P. Kraus or HPK, was an Austrian-born book dealer described as "without doubt the most successful and dominant rare book dealer in the world in the second half of the 20th century" and in a league with other rare book dealers such as Bernard Quaritch, Guillaume de Bure and A.S.W. Rosenbach. Kraus specialized in medieval illuminated manuscripts, incunables (books printed before 1501), and rare books of the 16th and 17th centuries, but would purchase and sell almost any book that came his way that was rare, valuable and important. He prided himself in being "the only bookseller in history...to have owned a Gutenberg Bible and the Psalters of 1457 and 1459 simultaneously," stressing that "'own' here is the correct word, as they were bought not for a client's account but for stock." -wi