Tobacco: Its History Illustrated by the Books & Manuscripts in the Library of George Arents

Martino Publishing, 1999-01-27. hardcover. Like New. 16x12x8. Martino Fine Books and Krown & Spellman; Mansfield Centre and Beverly Hills, 1999. Hardcover. Complete 5 Volume Set. This set is heavy and additional shipping cost may apply. A Near Fine, green cloth binding with gilt lettering on spine, binding firm, interior and extremities tidy, trace handling marks, 3 out 5 Volumes are shrink-wrapped, without Dust wrapper. A nice, clean and unmarked set. This collection of over 4000 pieces in twenty languages is remarkable for its superb condition as well as for its inclusiveness. Mr. Arents obtained the finest or most interesting copy available in either book or pamphlet. Although the collection is devoted to tobacco and includes almost every important work dealing directly with the subject, it includes many historical and literary accounts in which tobacco has only an incidental part. The earliest volume in the collection is the Cosmographiae of Martin Waldseemuller, dated 1507, which contains the first allusion in print to tobacco, though it does not name the plant. The lavish descriptions are a minimum of one page per item, often more. Full, exhaustive collations, valuable annotations, and facsimiles of title pages make this a superb bibliographical resource. Originally published in 300 copies over ten years, with most destined for institutional libraries. The facsimile edition is limited to 150 copies. 4to[quarto or approx. 11.5 x 13.5 inches]., profusely illustrated. We pack securely and ship daily with delivery confirmation on every book. The picture on the listing page is of the actual book for sale. Additional Scan(s) are available for any item, please inquire.