Rare Books

Published in Europe during the 17th to 19th centuries, these are illustrated books commemorating royal entrances, jubilees, funeral processions, and other fetes. The nucleus of the Library's collection is the gift of Susan Dwight Bliss from the library of her mother, Jeanette Dwight Bliss, and it includes a copy of the plates for the famous Les plaisirs de l'isle enchantée, depicting a ballet and other festivities at Versailles in May 1664. (Unfortunately, the Princeton copy lacks the explanatory text.)

For particulars refer to: [Alexander Wainwright], "An Anonymous Gift" in the Princeton University Library Chronicle XIX, 3 & 4 (Spring & Summer, 1958) pp. 209-211 [full text] and Dale Roylance, "Illustrated Books" in the Princeton University Library Chronicle XX, 1 (Autumn, 1958) pp. 53-56 [full text] . See also the Bliss folder in the Collections File.