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38 - BESSÉ (Guillaume). The History of the Antiquities and Counts…
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Estimate €600 - €800
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Description
BESSÉ (Guillaume). The History of the Antiquities and Counts of Carcassonne. An important 17th-century work devoted entirely to the history of Carcassonne. Béziers, for Arnaud Estradier, Marchan, Bookseller of Carcassonne, 1645. A small quarto volume (210 x 155 mm). Soft vellum, smooth spine with title in black ink (contemporary binding). (8) ff. of engraved illustrated title page, dedication, preface and table of contents, 276 pages (incorrectly numbered, i.e. 256). Vellum faded and rubbed, with small areas of skin loss at the top and second joint. Geometric design in black ink on the front cover. The frontispiece title is partially detached. Slight water damage at the beginning and end. Rare foxing. First edition printed in Béziers of this rare and sought-after work. Complete copy featuring the beautiful allegorical title page engraved with a burin, depicting Madame Carcas seated on the Narbonne Gate. Text embellished with numerous wood-engraved headpieces and initials. Guillaume Bessé, a legal scholar and local historian, drew inspiration from the unpublished works of Canon Bernard de Stellat, who died in 1629, to compose this chronicle. ‘This history is of vital interest precisely because of its legendary aspect, which was criticised in its own time. These legends, myths and fables are, for us today, an invaluable record of the traditions and folk tales of the era. Bessé was the epic chronicler of the illustrious city’s military exploits; without him, all these legends would have been forgotten; he was the bard of the chansons de geste that surrounded the glory of Charlemagne, who came to Carcassonne only in the popular imagination of the ‘citizens of Carcassonne’” (Jean Girou). Provenance: Jean Deru, bookplate in black ink on the spine, dated 1661. A well-preserved copy.
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About the sale Fine antique and collectible books, manuscripts and modern illustrated works
Auction location
Auction time 06/29/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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