Catalogue of Books Printed on the Continent of Europe, 1501-1600, in Cambridge Libraries. [ 2 volumes, complete set ]

Cambridge University Press, London, first edition, 1967. 2 vols, cloth, small 4to, 27 cm,. viii, 768 + 794 pp. Approximately 45,000 entries. Still the essential reference for 16th century continental books, with detailed collations. From a contemporary review: "The catalogue contains over 30,000 entries, disposed two columns to a page in two stout volumes. The entries are arranged in alphabetical order of 'author' headings. The sub-arrangement follows, broadly, the British Museum practice... Each entry contains a heading; a short title, pagination statement; a collation; format; place of publication, printer, and/or publisher; and date. A series of locations follows. Notes are often included, either on imperfections or on bindings. The descriptions are deliberately flexible so that additional distinguishing information, from the title-page, catchwords, or elsewhere in the book, is added freely where Adams feels it useful. The authors from A to M are in the first volume, while the rest of the alphabet is in the second volume, followed by two indexes: the first is of printers (or publishers) giving under each name even more abbreviated entries in chronological arrangement; the second is of places of publication, listing in chronological order by date of activity the printers and publishers who appear in the first list. " From the blurb: "The books are predominantly works of classical authors, both Greek and Latin, and of theological writers, with law (civil and canon), some science and mathematics, and a little history, travel, and pure literature represented as well. Covers partly faded and rubbed,top edges spotted, spine-panels rubbed, contents Very Good.