I have recently received through the mail, from an Italian dealer, a copy of
Johann Wepfer's Historia Cicutae Aquaticae, Lyon, 1733. A quite nice copy,
but to my misfortune the title page is stamped with old (i.e. contemporary)
markings of the "Bibliotheque du Val-de-Grace."
What I am hoping is that one or more of you will chime in that the Abbey's
library was auctioned off during/after the Revolution and that I've nothing
to worry about. If that's the case, would you please?
If not, can any of you direct me to the present librarian of Val-de-Grace
(which is now a military hospital and medical college)? I would prefer going
directly to the source -- which I've been utterly unable to track down --
rather than try to reach him/her through the many-layered bureaucracy of the
Ministry of Health.
Thanks,
Lorne Bair
Lorne Bair Rare Books
2621 Daniel Terrace
Winchester, VA 22601
(540) 665-0855 satmind@earthlink.net