245. (Rotarides Mihály): Historiae Hungaricae...

...  literariae antiqui medii atque recentioris aevi lineamenta quorum prolegomena... in... introductionem... continentia prodeunt studio ac sumtu H. M. Hungari
Altonaviae et Servestae, 1745. (Burmester ny.) XVI+
+224p.
The first systematic Hungarian literary history, planned in four parts to cover the origins of language and literacy, the development of culture in various regions, the importance of institutions (universities, schools, etc.), and the key authors and works. The data collection remained in manuscript, and only this preface was published, encouraged by Mátyás Bél.
The value of our copy is enhanced by the inscription on the first leaf:
“Illustrissimo S. R. I. Comiti Domino D. ab Einsidel Domino Gratiosissimo Opusculum hocce nomine Civium Hungarorum Wittemb. h. t. Stud. offert Joannes Cherni Hung. h. t. Nat. Biblioth. A. MDCCLV d. 8. April.”
This comes from János Cherny of Trencsén County, then librarian of the Hungarian Library at the University of Wittenberg. The dedication is certainly related to this position, as in 1755 the library acquired the manuscripts of Rotarides, who died young. The library had been founded in 1725 from the endowment of György Kassai Michaelis, a professor from Upper Hungary, and later became the basis of the famous Hungarian Library of Halle.
Contemporary leather. Spine richly gilt.
Apponyi: 2850.; VD18 10229159.
 
Starting price: 200 000,-