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ALDE
8
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HERBERAY (Nicolas de). The First Book of the Chronicle of th…
See original version (French)
8
-
HERBERAY (Nicolas de). The First Book of the Chronicle of th…
See original version (French)
Estimate €3,000 - €4,000
Voluntary lot
Description
HERBERAY (Nicolas de). The First Book of the Chronicle of the Most Valiant and Feared Dom Flores of Greece, nicknamed the Knight of the Swans, second son of Esplandian, Emperor of Constantinople. A tale not yet heard, yet one of the most highly recommended. Translated into French by Nicolas de Herberay, Lord of Les Essars and Ordinary Commissioner of Artillery. Paris, Estienne Groulleau, 1552. Folio, brown calfskin, spine decorated with a gilt lattice pattern, red edges (18th-century binding). 8 unnumbered folios, 165 folios.
A very rare first edition of this chivalric novel.
Generally regarded as an original work by N. de Herberay, the translator of *Amadis de Gaule*, this novel appears in fact to be a translation-adaptation of part of the second *Lisuarte de la Grèce*, a work by the bachelor Juan Diaz from 1526.
The work, dedicated to King Henry II, was completed in print in November 1551, before the death of N. de Herberay in October 1552.
The introductory pages contain a long poem by Marc Antoine Muret addressed to the author, an unsigned ode, and another ode by Cl. Colet, a native of Champagne. The volume is illustrated with 70 woodcut plates by various artists. Some had previously been used to illustrate *Amadis*. They are all set within various frames, featuring coats of arms. Bound copy.
Cioranescu 11462 – Cat. Fairfax Murray *Early French Books I*, p. 244, no. 228, of which the copy is incomplete, lacking the title page and the preliminary leaves.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale
Xavier de Planhol Library – The Origins of the Novel
Auction location
Auction time
09/30/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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