ANTIQUARIAN AND MODERN BOOKS

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[JEHAN PUCELLE] - BOOK OF HOURS FOR THE USE OF ROME. MANUSCRIPT IN LATIN AND FRENCH, PARIS, CIRCA 1325. AN EXCEPTIONAL ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT EXECUTED IN THE WORKSHOP OF JEHAN PUCELLE FOR A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL ENTOURAGE: 6 LARGE MINIATURES, 48 INITIALS WITH A BACKGROUND DECORATED WITH LEAVES. 42 LETTRINES WITH PORTRAIT OR CHARACTER. 1220 LARGE AND SMALL INITIALS. 82 REPRESENTATIONS OF FANTASTIC ANIMALS. 58 FANTASTIC FIGURES WITH ANIMAL BODIES AND GROTESQUE SCENES. Large volume in-12 (120 x 80 mm (62 x 43 mm) of 222 leaves, including 1 blank, 13 long lines on parchment, metallic-gallic ink (rare parts of parchment eaten away by ink), rules in brown ink, advertisements, red cloth on wooden aisle, mute spine, gilt edges (19th century binding). MATERIAL DESCRIPTION In-12 of [221 ff. and 1 bl. f. bound out of order]; 120 × 80 mm (62 × 43 mm); 13 long lines on parchment; metallic-gallic ink (rare parts of parchment eaten away by ink); rules in brown ink; advertisements; headings; later foliation in pencil made after the present binding; textualis libraria, homogeneous hand; reconstructed folio (f.21) ; Decoration: a full-page miniature with the Annunciation to the shepherds (f.1), historiated initials of Saint Catherine (f.2), Saint Paul (f.5r), Saint John the Baptist (f. 85r), Saint John the Evangelist (f. 102), Saint Genevieve (f. 119); gilded field frames decorated with vine, holly and oak leaves with anthropomorphic and zoomorphic jokes (Pucelian jokes in grisaille: f. 2r, 13v, 18v, 34v, 52v, 62r, 73v(?), 74r, 84r, 85r, 94v, 102r, 105r(?), 119r, 121r, 141v, 149v, 153v, 159r, 161v(?), 170r, 179v(?), 180v(?), 183r, 186r, 195v(?), 196v, 205r, 213r, 219r; birds: f. 140v, 141r, 148r-149r); framed with watermarked i-stripes on f. 140; historiated initials (f. 24v, 76v, 77v, 78r, 79r, 79v); gilded champie initials decorated with men's heads, vine leaves, heraldic signs (fleur-de-lys, lion and eagle) and filigree; zoomorphic line ends and repeated motifs. ICONOGRAPHY This manuscript is very probably the result of a collective production by artists from Jean Pucelle's entourage. There is a first hand for the miniatures, a second for the marginal jokes and a third for the secondary decorations. The layout is similar to the Hours of Jeanne de Savoie (Paris, MJAP, Ms 1312), but the miniatures are executed in the style of the Breviary of Blanche de France (Rome, BAV, Urb. Lat. 603). This parallel makes it possible to date the manuscript to around 1325. The many amusing grisaille illustrations in our manuscript adopt a resolutely Pucelian language. The characters are particularly striking for their lively expressions, sometimes incongruous positions and the humour of the scenes. Hybrids with human torsos dressed in flowing fabrics and animal legs are often busy with a musical instrument or weapon. These figures are very common in the Hours of Joan of Savoy. Grotesque bearded profiles can also be found in the historiated initials and some of the endpapers of the Hours of Jeanne d'Evreux. The sophisticated character of the body of the guard on the reverse of f. 34 is particularly striking. The ochre of the modelling is enhanced by touches of white, accentuating the realism of the line. The three-dimensional treatment with which Pucelle was familiar is particularly visible here. This work on the nude can also be found in the miniatures in the Hours of Joan of Evreux, such as the Gemini in the calendar (f. 6r) or the flexible grace of Christ in the Flagellation (f. 53v). Other examples include the torture of Isaiah in the Billyng Bible (BnF, Mss, Latin 11935, f. 356v) and St Lawrence in the Breviary of Joan of Evreux (Chantilly, ms. 51, f. 306v). Such attention to detail is rarely found in other artists of the period. This leads us to believe that the hand is probably that of Jean Pucelle himself. Jean Pucelle was considered to be the best illuminator of his time. Virtually all French manuscripts from the second third of the 14th century bear witness to his influence, and the bibliography on his subject is inexhaustible. As early as 1868, Léopold Delisle identified his name in the colophon of Robert de Billyng's Bible (Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Latin 11935) dated April 1327, then in the Belleville Breviary (Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Latin 10483 and 10484). References to the bequest by Jeanne d'Évreux to King Charles V of a "very small booklet of oroisons that King Charles, whose soul Diex has, had made for Madame, which she illuminated" and the presence of this manuscript in the inventories of the Duke of Berry will strengthen the leads for identifying the work of the illuminator. But it was the discovery of a singular manuscript known as the Hours of Jeanne d'Évreux (New York, Cloisters, Acc. 54.1.2) that definitively established this artist and his central position in French medieval art (Nathalie Roman, 2021, p.8). His work was often done in collaboration with other artists such as Mahiet, Ancelet, Jean Le Noir, the Master of the Life of Saint Denis and the Master of Papeleu (Richard de Verdun), and so on. It is therefore not surprising to find another artist for the miniatures. The miniature artist's style is characterised by simple compositions without architectural frames, with draped figures combining elegantly placed folds with gradations to suggest the volumes of the bodies. The fabrics are coloured in ochre and pastel shades of pink and grey with green and ochre highlights. The simple lines of the eyes, the fluidity of the bodies and the vitality of the postures are also noteworthy, particularly the feet, which are often bare and outside the frame. Despite the similarity in style with the Breviary of Blanche de France, there is no evidence to suggest that our miniatures were made by one of the hands of the volume. The workshop whose production is close to that of our miniatures is that of the Master of the Life of Saint Denis. This workshop is known for a compilation in honour of the martyred saints Denis, Rustique and Eleuthère, produced at the end of the reign of Philip the Fair and presented by the abbot of Saint-Denis to King Philip the Long in 1317. Three volumes are now held by the BnF under the number Fr 2090 to 2092. These miniatures were produced by several artists with similar training, whose art already foreshadowed that of Jean Pucelle. Our manuscript could have been illuminated by an artist from this workshop, as the same technique is used for the angels, the modelling and facial features, the drapery and certain positions of the figures. However, the fluidity and lightness of our artist's work means that he had already moved away from the statuesque style of this workshop and was already moving towards the style of the miniatures in the Hours of Joan of Savoy produced around 1325 by Jean Pucelle and the Master of the Ceremonial of Ghent. The hand is less experienced here, particularly the colouring, but the softness of the figures, the animation of the shepherds' scene and the techniques mentioned above lead us to believe that our artist was already influenced by Jean Pucelle's style. We are perhaps in the presence of an intermediate artist between the group of the Master of the Life of Saint-Denis and the group of Jean Pucelle. As for the secondary decorations, they may have been created by an artist close to Anciau de Sens, known for being responsible for the painted frames of the Billyng Bible and the Belleville Breviary (BnF, Mss, Latin 10483-10484) (Rouse, II, p. 14), two manuscripts also illuminated by Jean Pucelle. Full-page miniature : - f. 1v: Announcement to the shepherds. The miniature is not homogeneous. The angel and shepherd on the right-hand side appear to have been restored later by a clumsy hand. The phylactery is even partially scratched. Perhaps this is wear from devotional marks. This is a classical composition with angels accompanied by phylacteries announcing the good news to shepherds in the fields. The facial features of the shepherd in profile seem more refined than those of the historiated initials. However, analysis of the drapery and postures suggests that the initials are by the same hand. Large historiated initials : - f. 2r : Saint Catherine - f. 5r : Saint Paul with his book and sword : face restored - f. 85r : Saint John the Baptist. - f. 102: Saint John the Evangelist: restored leaf. - f. 119: Saint Genevieve with the candle: Same hand? Figure of the cripple on crutches in the upper margin similar to that in the Belleville Breviary vol. II, f. 218v and on f. 112v of the Hours of Jeanne de Savoie. Historiated initials on three lines: f. 24, 76v, 77v, 78r, 79r, 79v: figures of holy evangelists. TEXT This manuscript contains long offices of the Cross/Passion and of the Holy Spirit with unknown variants. These two texts are usually attributed to John XXII (1314-1335), but it is also likely that this pope simply formalised a private devotional practice (E. Drigsdahl, CHD). The manuscript was bound during the 19th century without respecting the original order of the leaves. As a result, the Hours are out of order. There are also several gaps, often where miniatures or historiated initials are expected. TEXTUAL COLLATION : f. 1-72v: Hours of the Virgin according to Roman usage: (f. 4, 49, 10-20) Matins: missing at the beginning and end; (f. 25, 26-34, 35-36, 68-70r) Lauds: missing at the beginning, after f. 25, 34; (f. 2-3, 6, 9, 71-72) Prime: missing at the beginning, after f. 9 and at the end; (f. 1, 5, 7-8, 41-42) Tierce: end missing; (f. 45-48) Sexte: missing at the beginning and at the end; (f. 48, 50-53) None: missing at the beginning; (f. 21, 54-55, 58-63) Vespers: missing at the beginning; (f. 66-67, 37-40) Compline: missing at the beginning. The table of the complete textual collation is available on request. f. 24, 73-84v, 21: Hours of the Virgin with festive recommendations in French, rubricated. Rubric: "Memoire de tous sains", "Dou primier jour apres les octaves de noel iusques a la purification...", "...devant lavent", "de la purification iusques a la pentecouste...", etc. This part is also incomplete. - f. 85-93, 119-139: Hours of the Passion or of the Cross (f. 93v: advertisement: "As laudes de la croix"): early version incomplete and poorly bound (f. 85): Matins: Invitatory "Christum passum et irrisum flagellatum crucifixum venite adoremus". This variant of the invitatory is unknown in bibliographical resources. The variant "captum et irrisum" which introduces the Hours of the Passion is more commonly found, as in Ms. 0.3.10 in Trinity College, Cambridge (see Wordsworth, Christopher, Horae Eboracenses, the prymer of Hours of the Blessed Virgin Mary [...], Durham, Andrews, 1920, p.164-180). (f. 119) : Prime, hymn: "Tu qui velatus". f. 94-118: Office of the Holy Spirit: incomplete early version. (f. 95v) Hymn "Veni creator spiritus", antiphon "Veni sancte spiritus". f. 140-205v: Office of the Dead: incomplete from the beginning, beginning in the middle of psalm 114 which introduces Vespers: "Custodiens parvulos Dominus: humiliatus sum, et liberavit me". Office à l'usage de Rome : list of the responsories of the lessons of the nocturnes of Matins : 14, 72, 24, 46, 32, 57, 68, 28, 38. There is a gap between psalm 62 in Lauds and the first oration (f. 187). f. 206-218v: Penitential psalms: Beginning missing, begins in the middle of psalm 37: "non est pax meis a facie peccatorum meorum". f. 218v-221v: Litanies: Incomplete at the end, the petitions are missing. PROVENANCE: Despite all its shortcomings, this is undoubtedly a first-rate manuscript. The richness of the miniatures, the variety of frames and the diversity of times suggest a prestigious commission. There is no textual indication of who the manuscript was intended for. There are, however, discreet heraldic marks in the initials. Instead of faces and filigrees, the initials bear azure with one or four fleurs-de-lys (on f. 73, 148v and 205v), gules with a golden lion (f. 46v, 94r and 215r) and gules with a golden eagle (f. 111v, 126r, 142r). The former arms unequivocally suggest France, the latter could correspond to the ancient English arms used in the 12th century and the golden eagle on a field of gules was identified by François Avril in 2007 as the ancient arms of the county of Burgundy. The use of these heraldic motifs could suggest a provenance such as in the Breviary of Blanche de France. If we follow the heraldic trail, the only person likely to bear both French and English arms at this time is Isabelle de France, daughter of Philip the Fair and wife of Edward II, King of England. Biographical information on Isabella of France also supports this hypothesis. In March 1325, Isabella and her son Edward III left for France so that Edward III could swear allegiance to the King of France on his father's behalf for his title of Duke of Aquitaine. Isabella, at odds with her husband to the point of fearing for her life, decided to stay at the French court with her brother. She remained there until September 1326 before leaving to conquer England and depose her husband. Is it possible that de Pucelle was commissioned during this stay? The style of the manuscript could corroborate this hypothesis, as we find the simplicity of line of the Breviary of Jeanne de France and the iconographic composition of the Hours of Jeanne de Savoie, both executed during the same period. Although this hypothesis is attractive, nothing can be said with certainty. We could have noted the presence of the patronymic at the end of the litanies "sancta Elysabeth" which close the short list of saints, but these litanies are almost identical in the Breviary of Blanche de France on f. 91r (Rome, BAV, Urb. Lat. 603) and the Breviary of Jeanne d'Évreux on f. 96v (Chantilly, Musée Condé, Ms 51). This breviary, attributed to Pucelle, has the same system of heraldic initials and very similar secondary decoration (initials, antennae and line ends). It seems highly likely that the source is royal and French, but the exact identification remains to be seen. BIBLIOGRAPHY : - Les fastes du gothique, Le siècle de Charles V, Paris, Réunion des musées nationaux, 1981, no. 235. - Richard H. Rouse, Mary A. Rouse, Manuscripts and their makers: commercial book producers in medieval Paris 1200-1500, London, 2000. - Kyunghee Pyun (ed.), Anna D. Russakoff (ed.), Jean Pucelle: innovation and collaboration in manuscript painting, London, Turnhout, Harvey Miller, 2013. - Roman, Nathalie. " Collaborations artistiques et leadership : le cas du Bréviaire de Blanche de France (Rome, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, ms Urb. lat. 603) ", Convivium, 4, n° 2, 2017, p. 132-155. - Roman, Nathalie. " Nouvelle proposition pour Jean Pucelle : un artiste abouti dès 1318 ", Revue de l'art, vol. 212, no. 2, 2021, pp. 8-17.

COUSTUMES D'ANJOU ET DU MAINE contenans seize parties. Paris, Pierre Levet for Jean Alexandre, 12 May 1486. Small gothic in-8 of 148 (out of 152) leaves, porphyry calf, ornate spine (18th century binding). Extremely rare edition (there are only 7 copies, 2 of which are incomplete in France), this one stamped in red. Slight interior defects, missing 4 leaves including the title and the last one bearing the printer's mark. (ISTC ic00953000) (Brunet II, 348).

FORESTI DE BERGAME (Jacobus Philippus). SUPPLEMENTUM CHRONICARUM. Venice, Bernardinus Rizus, 1490. In gothic folio of [11]-261 leaves, stiff vellum (contemporary binding). Second illustrated edition of this famous chronicle, the first having appeared in 1483. It contains at the beginning of the text a large woodcut in a beautiful frame representing the creation of the world, 3 other large woodcuts including the Tower of Babel which appears for the first time and 63 VERY NICE VIEWS of cities including Rome and Venice which are particularly beautiful. Circles, a few traces of moisture in the bottom margin, and small galleries with damage to some letters (Sander 917) (ISTC ij00211000) (Essling 343).

VORAGINE (J. de). LEGENDE SANCTORUM epistolam que januensem. est autem hic liber trionymus. (sp.i) a plerisque inscribitur (sp.ii) longobardica historia. (Strasbourg, Georg Husner, 1503). In-8 gothic folio of 290 leaves, covered vellum (contemporary binding). Printed on 2 columns by Georges Husner, type foundryman and printer, one of the first in Strasbourg. Title a little faded (USTC, 671824, 9 copies).

CRINITO (Pietro). DE HONESTA DISCIPLINA LIB. XXV, poetis latinis lib. V et poematon lib. II; cum indicibus. Paris, J. Bade and J. Petit, (1510). In-folio of [8]-141 (misprinted 139) leaves, half vellum with corners (19th century binding). The author (1475-1507) is best known for the part entitled "De Honesta Disciplina", published in 1504 and which Nostradamus is said to have taken as inspiration for certain passages in his Prophecies. Pietro Crinito studied rhetoric under Politian, of whom he was one of the most important disciples. He inherited his library and papers and was his posthumous publisher. He met Savonarola and Pico della Mirandola and was a member of the Platonic Academy. Second collective edition published and printed by Josse Bade, with the title in red and black and the mark of Jehan Petit. Binding a little spotted else a fine copy annotated in the margins by a contemporary reader (USTC 143575, 4 copies) (Renouard, Ascensius, II, 351, n°2).

CICERON. CI COMMENCE TULLES DES OFFICES et operatiôs humaynes vertueuses et hônestes, familièrement translate selon la vraie sentence et intention de lacteur. They are sold in Lyon near Nostre Dame de Confort by Olivier Arnoullet. Newly printed in Lyon on 29 July 1533 by Olivier Arnoullet. Small gothic in-8 volume of 136 unencumbered leaves, red morocco, cold-stamped fillets with gilt ornaments framing the boards, spine decorated with gold and mosaic fleurons, inner gilt lace, gilt edges (Thomas). A very rare edition from Lyon. This translation appears to be by David Miffant or Miffaut, governor of Dieppe, whose first edition appeared in Paris in 1502. The title, printed in red and black, is adorned with a small woodcut vignette. The book ends with a ballad, with a refrain "De bien vivre selon vertu moralle", which appears in the 1509 Paris edition. Baudrier cites only one copy from the Brun bookshop in Lyon (probably this one). Perfect condition (Baudrier X, 65) (USTC, 80019, no copy) (Pettegrew n°13160). Beautiful binding executed in the 19th century by Thomas. Provenance: Library of Alfred Lindeboom with his fine bookplate.

CATON (Dionysius). S'ENSUIT LE GRANT CHATON EN FRANÇOIS QUI PARLE DE PLUSIEURS BELLES EXEMPLES MORALLES ET FORT JOYEUSES POUR RESJOUYR LES PERSONNES. Paris, (Guillaume de Bossozel) for Pierre Sergent (1537). Small gothic in-4° of 54 uncounted leaves, cream vellum, cold framed in the Du Seuil style, gilt edges (modern binding). Very rare gothic edition, decorated with a woodcut on the title, repeated twice in the text and showing the author at his desk. Typographical mark with the initials of Pierre Sergent on the verso of the last leaf. Two wormholes with damage to letters, isolated brown spots, leaves g2-3 repaired at corners. A few pale halos. Leaves D3 and D6 bound in the middle of quire E. (USTC 37774, 2 ex.) (Bechtel, 119, C-105). Provenance: Manuscript bookplate on title: Ce presens livre appartiens à frère Toussaind Jobard, hermite indigne du Pieux [...].

BOUCHET (Jehan). LES TRIUMPHES DE LA NOBLE ET AMOUREUSE DAME ET L'ART DE HONNESTEMENT AYMER. Composed by the Traverseur des joyes périlleuses. Paris, Guillaume de Bossozel, 1536. Gothic folio of [8]-159 leaves, brown calf, cold-stamped boards, ribbed spine (period binding). Title printed in red and black, followed by an epistle in verse: "A très illustre, très noble, très prudente, très redoutée dame, Madame Eléonor, de l'impérialle maison d'Autriche, Royne de France". Jehan Bouchet was born in Poitiers in 1476. In his book, he describes in allegorical form and in a way that is intended to be moralising, the soul's struggle against sins and, in particular, against the temptations of the flesh. He combines all this, with great frankness of expression, with advice to young girls and women on how to behave in life: there are anatomical descriptions and hygiene recommendations that are more medical than moral, as well as advice on manners at the time. An attractive copy in contemporary binding. Staining, the last three leaves have been repaired in the margins with a few sentences rewritten, headpieces, hinges and corners restored. (Tchemerzine I, 68, b (variant) (USTC 34698, 8 ex.) (Gay III, 1264) (Bechtel, 94, B-342). Provenance: Handwritten ex-libris of several members of the Madoy family.

JOSEPH (Flavius). DE L'ANTIQUITE JUDAIQUE. Paris, Estienne Caveiller for Jehan Petit, 4 June 1539. In-4° gothic of [10]-250 ill-folded leaves, old vellum with overlay (20th century binding). The 20 books of the Antiquités judaïques are of the utmost importance for archaeology, both for the study of texts and that of monuments. They are followed in this edition by the book of the Maccabees, which is a discourse on the family from which Josephus descended. AFTER THE SACRED CODES, THESE WORKS FORM THE MOST IMPORTANT TEXTS OF JUDAISM. The work, in the name of Jehan Petit, with his mark on the title printed in red and black, is illustrated with a large woodcut showing the author in his library. The translation from Greek into Latin by Ruffin d'Aquilée, "nouvellement tournez en vulgaire françoys" is given by Guillaume Michel dit de Tours, who died in 1556. Beautiful gothic printing decorated with numerous pictorial initials or with a riddled background, red spots on the edge (Bechtel, p. 402) (USTC, 60561).

[BONIFACE VIII]. SEXTUS DECRETALIUM LIBER. Paris, Charlotte Guillard, 1541. In-8° of [8]-216 leaves, overlapping ivory vellum, gilt fillets on the boards, gilt arms in the centre of the boards, gilt edges (period binding). Full text of the Decretals of Boniface VIII, Clement V, followed by the Extravagantes of John XXII. Beautiful impression by Charlotte Guillard, embellished with admirable historiated lettrines. "We give a place among the correct printers to Charlotte Guillard, a famous woman in printing, who surpassed all those of her sex in the practice of this great Art, having distinguished herself by a considerable number of good and highly esteemed prints, which are curiously kept in libraries. (Chevillier: L'origine de l'imprimerie de Paris, p. 148-149). Small chip to one cover otherwise a very fine copy ruled in red ink with the ARMS OF JEAN DE MASSO, (O.H.R., pl. 18). Provenance: Jean de Masso, seigneur de Saint-Laurent de Vaux, alderman of Lyon for the years 1576, 1577, 1582 and 1583.

ARISTOTE - VELCURIO (Johannes). COMMENTARII IN UNIVERSAM PHYSICAM ARISTOTELIS libri quatuor, denuo summa diligentia variorum exemplarium collatione recogniti et illustrati... Tubingen, Ulrich Morhart, 1542. In-8 of [6]-300-[26] leaves, blind-stamped vellum with 2 biblical scenes, the initials C. G. and the date 1544 under the sentence "Paruulus natus est nobis et filius datus est", clasps (contemporary binding). First edition of this commentary on Aristotle's physics by the German physicist Joannes Velcurio (1490-1534). Small vertical gallery to the last leaves and slight soiling else a fine copy in its beautifully preserved stamped and dated binding. (USTC 667687).

VITRUVE. DE ARCHITECTURA LIBRI DECEM, ad Augustum Cæsarem accuratis conscripti : & nunc primum in Germania qua potuit diligentia excusi... Strasbourg, in officina Knoblochiana per Georgium Machaeropiaum, 1543. In-8 of [52]-260 (1 to 96 and 99 to 262, not lacking)-[52] pages, brown calf, boards with cold framing, spine ribbed (modern pastiche binding). First edition printed in Germany, given by Rivius and illustrated in the text with 89 CHARMING WOODEN ENGRAVINGS depicting weathervanes, sundials, rafts, mills, Archimedes in his bathtub and various drawings based on those of the 1521 edition, but in reduced format; the text is composed entirely in italic print. This edition ends with Nicolas de Cues' "De staticis experimentalis" and Frontin's "De aquaeductibus". A few leaves restored at the corners, but not missing. (Fowler 401) (USTC 674607).

[SCEVE (Maurice). HENRI II'S ENTRY INTO LYON. LA MAGNIFICIENCE DE LA SUPERBE ET TRIUMPHANTE ENTREE de la noble et antique Cité de Lyon faicte au très chrestien Roy de France, Henry deuxième de ce nom et la Royne Catherine son épouse le XXIII de Septembre 1548. Lyon, Guillaume Rouille, 1549. In-4° of 44 uncounted leaves, midnight blue morocco, interior gilt lace, gilt edges (Godillot). Extremely rare first edition of one of the most beautiful festival books published in the 16th century. The text was written by Maurice Scève, Claude de Taillemnt, Guillaume Du Choul and Barthélémy Aneau. The beautiful illustrations include large ornate lettering and 15 admirable large woodcuts based on drawings by Bernard Salomon, known as Petit Bernard. The latter show officers in costume, triumphal arches, street views and even the royal galleys on the Rhône. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST LYONNAIS BOOKS OF THE RENAISSANCE. A superb copy in a fresh binding by Marcel Godillot, a worker at Marot-Rodde in 1929 (Baudrier IX, 161-65, 36 ff. ?) (USTC 27268, 4 ex.) (Brunet II, 996) (Mortimer French, n°201).

DONI (Antonio Francesco). I MARMI. Venice, Francesco Marcolini, 1552-53. 4 parts of 167-[1]-119-[1]-166-1bl.-93-[1]-1bl.-[1] pages, in 1 volume in-4°, without binding. First edition of these dialogues by eccentric young Florentines who converse about art and philosophy on the marble steps of Florence's Duomo. These dialogues involve more than 100 different characters, some real, some fictional, on a wide range of poems and unrelated subjects. This volume contains an "Announcement" for the forthcoming publication of the "Inferni" with a reproduction of the title. (First advertisement?). The abundant and beautiful illustrations include 5 large portraits, including those of Doni, Petrarch and the Aretinus, and 38 EXTRAVAGANT FIGURES, such as a madman riding a crayfish, an engraving largely inspired by the Nave of Fools, all engraved after drawings by the printer Marcolini himself. Several light rings, small marginal gallery on 10 leaves. The copy is well preserved and placed in a binding that is not its own. (Brunet II, 813) (Mortimer, Italian n°165) (Adams, D-824) (USTC, 827617).

BIBLE. LA SAINTE BIBLE. Lyon, Jean de Tournes, 1554. 3 parts of [12]-507-[1] ; 433-[1]-[16] ; 248 (misc. 288)-[6]-1bl. pages, in 1 volume in-folio, half-basin, smooth spine (later binding). "This 1554 edition is the first of the in-folio Bibles published by Jean de Tournes, which contain some of the woodcuts from the suite of historical quadrins by Petit Bernard. There are 181 in the Old Testament, plus 11 large plates engraved expressly for the in-folio Bibles... Printed in new type, it is one of the finest productions of Jean I" (Cartier). Doubled title, repairs in the margins of the first and last leaves, a few leaves trimmed short and missing, a few spots and foxing, light stain on leaf 343, hinges worn. Copy ruled in red ink, sign of first printing, handwritten ex-libris "Grégoire". (Cartier n°266) (USTC 1118).

CHRYSOSTOME (St. John). ENARRATIO IN ESAIAM... NUNC PRIMUM E GRAECO IN LATINAM TRADUCTA. 5 works bound in 1 large folio volume, marbled calf, spine ribbed and decorated (18th century binding). Paris, Charlotte Guillard and Guillaume Desboys, 1555. [6]-56 leaves. Lined title missing (USTC 151785) Bound at the end : - DENIS LE CHARTREUX. In omnes beati Pauli epistolas commentaria. In VII epistolas. Paris, Jean de Roigny, 1548. [6]-170 leaves (USTC 196072). - ARBOREUS (J). Theophosia. Tomus tertius. Paris, Jean de Roigny, 1553. [5]-287-[7] leaves (USTC 196682, 4 ex.) - PHILO OF ALEXANDRIA. Philonis judaei centum et due questiones. Paris, Josse Bade, August 1520. 11 leaves (Renouard III, 161) (not at USTC). - ARBOREUS (J). Commentarii in proverbia Salomonis. Paris, Jean de Roigny, 1549. [6]-108 leaves (USTC, 154016). Apart from the lack of paper on the title of the first work, the copy is in fine condition inside. Hinges and spine worn. Stamp, Ex-libris J.G. Thevenon.

COUSTAU (Pierre). LE PEGME, AVEC LES NARRATIONS PHILOSOPHIQUES, mis de latin en françoys par Lanteaume de Romieu gentilhome d'Arles. Lyon, Macé Bonhomme, 1560. In-8, 416-[6] pages, copper morocco, gilt fillets, ornate ribbed spine, inner gilt lace, gilt edges (Duru et Chambolle, 1863). A very handsome book illustrated with 95 ENGRAVED EMBLEMS on wood, some of them drawn by Pierre Vase, and adorned on each page with a beautiful frame composed of grotesques, arabesques, cherubs, animals and architectural figures. The printer used some of these frames from the Morosophie of 1553 and the Considérations des quatre mondes of 1552. Edition shared between Macé Bonhomme and Barthélémy Molin. The last leaf (imprimatur) is missing, beautiful copy perfectly established by Duru, withdrawn in 1863 and Chambolle his associate. (Baudrier II, 184 and X, 262) (USTC, 34924).

RONSARD (P. de). RESPONCE TO INJURIES AND CALUMNIES, from ie ne say quels Prédicans, & Ministres de Genève. Sur son discours et continuation des misères de ce temps. Lyon, no name, 1563. In-8 of 27 unnumbered leaves, garnet-red chagrin, double gilt fillet on covers, ribbed spine, gilt inner lace (19th century binding). "Miserable scoffer who had no voice - Mute as a fish, not two months ago - And now swollen by the death of a single man - You meditate on my name that France renames - Abbaying my virtue and playing the braggart - To put yourself in the limelight you take yourself to Ronsard". The author's response to the insulting pamphlet by the Protestant Antoine de La Roche-Chandieu. A Lyon counterfeit published the same year as the Paris original, extremely rare. Copy short of margins, mending in the outer margin of the title. (Tchémerzine V, 443) (Barbier-Mueller, Inventaire..., n°733) (USTC, 14951, 6 ex.). Provenance: Ernest Stroehlin Library with his ex-libris bearing the motto "Mente libera" and the name Champel, an allusion to the place where Michel Servet was executed.

[LYON]. SET OF 7 IN-12 PLATES, all printed in Lyon in the 16th century, variously bound in the 19th century. DISCOURS SUR L'ESPOUVANTABLE et merveilleux desbordement du Rosne dans et alentour de la ville de Lyon (Rigaud, 1570) - LETTRE PATENTE du Roy envoyé à Monsieur le Sénéchal de Lyon. (Jove and Pillehotte, 1575) - REIGLEMENS ORDONNEZ en exécution des edicts du Roy contre ceux de la religion prétendue réformée... (Julliéron and Ancelin, 1594) - ORDONNANCES ou articles concluds et arrestez en l'assemblée générale tenue au consulat de Lyon... (Lyon, Ancelin, 1694) - DISCOURS sur la réduction de la ville de Lyon à l'obéissance du Roy (Thomas Soubron, 1594) - ARREST de la Court de parlement à Paris, donné sur le payement des dismes au pays de Lyonnois. (Pierre Merant, 1567) - BENEDITTI. Discours des triomphes et Resjouissances faicts par la Seigneurie de Venise à l'entrée de Henry de Valois. (Michel Jove, 1574). Good condition.

DU VERDIER (A.). LES OMONIMES. Satire on the corrupt morals of this century... Lyon, Antoine Gryphius [at the end: printed by Pierre Roussin], 1572. In-4° of 12 leaves, mahogany morocco, garland of gilt floral motifs on the covers, cold filets, ornate ribbed spine, inner gilt roulette, gilt edges (C. Hardy). First edition of this singular and rare play. The author calls his verses Omonimes (Homonyms) because the rhymes are made up of words with the same sound but different meanings. For example: The man who is lascivious and bawdy Makes short his years and goods, in the end has no liard, Dissipating his substance after more than ten wives, incurs the wrath of God and the slanderous people, All sin depends on it, in a bordeaux tavern L'ivrognerie a lieu, jamais n'aborde l'eau. A very fine copy, remarkably bound. (Rothschild I, n°749) (Baudrier VIII, 359).

[RICAUD (JEAN)]. DISCOURS DU MASSACRE DE CEUX DE LA RELIGION REFORMEE, fait à Lyon, par les Catholiques Romains, le vingt-huictième du mois d'Aoust & iours ensuyans, de l'an 1572. With a kind admonition to the people of Lyon who, out of timidity and against their own conscience, continue to pay homage to idols. Sans lieu, ni nom, 1574. 1 small volume in-12 of 156 pages, midnight blue Jansenist morocco, gilt inner lace, gilt edges (Thibaron-Echaubard). Rare first edition. It begins with a dedicatory epistle dated Montauban, in the subscription of which are the initials J.R.D.L. from which the author's name "Jean Ricaud de Lyon" has been recognised. The latter, a minister in Lyon, was saved from massacre by the Seigneur de la Mante, Governor of Lyon. Discrete restorations to the title, copy in fine condition. (USTC, 11298, 5 copies) (Quérard, supercheries III, 344).

ROUILLE (G). PROMPTUARII ICONUM INSIGNIORUM a seculo hominum, subjectis eorum vitis Editio secunda. Lyon, Guillaume Rouille, 1578 (small label affixed). 2 parts in one vol. in-4° of [4]-4 ff.(chiff. 1 à 4)-5 to 172 p.-[4] and 315 (badly chiffr)-[8] pages, terra-cotta morocco, boards decorated in cold with spandrels and a large central Renaissance motif, wide gilt lace, gilt edges (Bruyère). Lyon edition decorated with numerous medals by Corneille and woodcuts by Georges Reverdy. It was printed by P. Roussin, whose fleurons and typographical bands are very often repeated. This edition was refreshed in 1581 by the application of pasteboards bearing the new date; these are found in this copy. Very fine binding by Bruyère, a 19th century bookbinder from Lyon (Baudrier IX, 386).

MAGGI (Girolamo). DELLA FORTIFICATIONE DELLE CITTA, di Girolamo Maggi, e del capitan Iacomo Castriotto, ingegniero del christianissimo re di Francia. Venice, Camillo Borgominieri, 1583. In-folio of [4 (the last bl.)]-136 leaves, soft ivory vellum (contemporary binding). Second edition, the first having appeared in 1564. This important treatise on fortification was written by the military engineer Jacopo Fusti Castriotto (1510-1563) and the jurist and military theorist Girolamo Maggi (1523-1572). Copiously illustrated with 283 LARGE ENGRAVINGS (various views, plans of towns and ports), it is divided into three books: the first deals with town planning, the second with fortifications in general, and the third looks in particular at water fortifications (the Venetian "da mar" fortresses). It concludes with Giovacchino da Coniano's Traité des Ordonnances ou Batailles. This treaty was a huge success, making Maggi, who was hired as a military engineer by the Republic of Venice in 1570, famous. A few browned leaves, a pure copy with wide margins. Handwritten annotations from the period. "Castriotto's work is the most complete treatise on fortification ever published". (Riccardi I, 299). (USTC 839568). (Mortimer italian, II, 266).

VINET (Elie). L'ARPANTERIE ET LA MANIERE DE FERE LES SOLAIRES QUE COMMUNEMANT ON APELE QUADRANS. Bordeaux, S. Millanges, 1583. 2 parts in 1 small volume in-4°, soft vellum (contemporary binding). In his foreword, Vinet gives his reason for writing this book: on his return from Portugal in 1549, he noted that following the rebellion against the gabelle, King Henri II had decided to abolish all the bells and clocks in Bordeaux, hence the need for the people of Bordeaux to master the technique of sundials in order to keep track of the time. Expanded second edition of la manière de faire les solaires et cadrans, with dated title page. Numerous sketches, wood in the text and a folding plate. Light rings, thin gallery on several leaves, the penultimate leaf of the first part is missing. Binding with a nice patina (USTC 19405, 8 copies).

ARNOBE. DISPUTATIONUM ADVERSUS GENTES LIBRI SEPTEM. Hanover, typis Wechelianis, Claude Marnium, 1603. In-8 of 445-[1], blond calf, gilt iron in the centre of the boards, crowned figures in the corners, gilt fillets, very ornate spine (later binding). Bound in the suite: De idolatrum vanitate. Ex Bibliopolio Frobeniano, 1603. 173-[7] pages. De errore profanarum religionum. Ex Bibliopolio Frobeniano, 1603. 123-[3] pages. Prize book given by François Brunet to Jeanne Lobot, a student at the Collège de Beaune, bearing the arms of the benefactor (handwritten note in Latin on the flyleaf). François Brunet, seigneur de Montferrand, son of Philibert, secretary to the king, and Jeanne Taveau, born in 1646, became president of the chambre des comptes in Paris, where he died on 26 April 1696. "A great bibliophile and collector of all sorts of objets d'art and curiosities, he had most of his volumes sumptuously bound. (O.H.R., pl. 1743). Endpapers missing, otherwise a fine copy.

COLLECTION DE 4 PIECES RELATIVES A LA REBELLION DU PRINCE DE CONDE EN 1614, bound in 1 volume in-12, blond calf, triple gilt fillet, spine ribbed and decorated, red tr. (19th century binding). Lyon and Paris, 1614. Rare collection of 4 anonymous, facetious and political libellés. Lettre de Jacques Bon-Homme, payzan de Beauvoisis à Messeigneurs les princes retirez de la Cour. Lyon, on the Paris copy by J. Brunet, 1614. - Response du Crocheteur de la samaritaine à Jacques Bon-Homme. S.l, n.n, 1614. - Reply of Jacques Bon-Homme to his friend the Hooker. P., Brunet, 1614. - Conjouissance de Jacques Bon-Homme avec messeigneurs les princes réconciliés. P., Chappellain, 1614. A fine copy. Provenance: Bibliothèque Joseph Nouvellet (ex-libris).

PLUVINEL (Antoine de). L'INSTRUCTION DU ROY EN L'EXERCICE DE MONTER A CHEVAL... All enriched with large figures. Paris, M. Nivelle, 1625. In folio, calf, spine ribbed and decorated (period binding). First edition containing a printed title, an engraved title, 4 portraits (Menou, Louis XIII, de Pluvinel and Roger de Bellegarde) and 55 double-page copper-engraved plates depicting Antoine de Pluvinel instructing the king or gentlemen in the art of riding or fighting on horseback and 6 plates of spines (one missing). The work thus comprises 66 plates and portraits including the frontispiece, which is very rare according to Menessier de la Lance (II, 329-330). Title rebacked and doubled, marginal repairs and small tears without missing on some leaves, scattered light rings, the last 2 missing leaves have been handwritten very legibly at the time, binding damaged with missing spine and boards. ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE RIDING BOOKS.

CAUSSIN (Nicolas). DE ELOQUENTIA SACRA ET HUMANA, LIBRI XVI. Paris, Guillaume Pele, 1637. Ex-typographia Mathurini Henault, 1636. In-4° of [32]-1011-[63] pages, fawn morocco with armorial bearings, gilt arms on covers with a semis of crowned "L" and fleurs-de-lys, gilt framing lace, spine with nerfs decorated in the same way, gilt edges (period binding). Fourth edition, the most complete, printed on 2 columns. Nicolas Caussin, a Jesuit born in Troyes in 1583, was Louis XIII's confessor. In his treatise on sacred eloquence, he describes the strategies and techniques of eloquence, particularly in a royal and religious context. EXEMPLAIRE AUX ARMES DU ROI LOUIS XIII, roi de France (1610-1643). "Louis XIII loved books and had them covered first by Clovis Eve and then by Antoine Ruette. (O.H.R. pl. 2493, iron no. 4). Endpapers missing, brown spots, hinges and headpieces restored.

PETAU (Denis). OPERA POETICA. Ultima editio plerique carminibus aucta. [Graeca varii generis carmina, cum latina interpretatione]. Paris, Sébastien Cramoisy, 1641-1642. 2 works in 1 large volume in-8 of [8]-500-[2] and [16]-281-[3] pages, fawn calf, boards and spine covered with a fleur-de-lys pattern, arms gilt in the centre of the boards, gilt edges (period binding). A fine copy of the binding covered with fleurs-de-lys and decorated on the boards with a large gilt motif consisting of a cross pattée with 4 acorns at the corners. These Latin and Greek poems by P. Pétau are very interesting. The main titles are : De l'Immaculée Conception, de l'Annonciation, Neuvaine et Eloge de sainte Geneviève, patronne de Paris, Louis XIII triomphant, etc... . The second book, with its own title, is in a bilingual Latin-Greek version with a few pages in Hebrew characters. A French scholar and theologian, Denis Petau (1583-1652), maître es arts in Latin and ancient Greek, studied philosophy at the University of Bourges and joined the Society of Jesus in 1605.

ISOCRATE. ORATIONES ET EPISTOLAE. Cum latina interpretatione H. Wolfii. Geneva, Jacob Crispini, 1642. In-8 of [82]-844-[42] pages, fawn morocco, large frame and gilt lace on covers, gilt arms on covers, very ornate ribbed spine, gilt edges (period binding). Edition with the Latin and Greek text printed on 2 columns of the speeches of one of the most eminent Greek rhetors, Isocrates, with commentaries by Jérôme Wolff. Old restorations to corners and spine, scattered foxing and rings. Provenance: A copy bearing the arms of Louis de la Rochefoucauld, bishop of Lectoure from 1646 to 1654, the copy bears his label on the flyleaf with an ex-dono to Petrus Benquet on 28 August 1650 for the eloquence prize at the college of Lectoure.

MENOU (René de). THE PRACTICE OF THE RIDER, or the Exercise of riding a horse. With figures to give an understanding. Together a Treatise on the means of preventing Duels, & banishing the Vices which cause them. Paris, Guillaume Loyson & Jean Baptiste Loyson, 1651. Small in-4° of [24]-225 (misf. 245)-[6] pages, brown marbled calf, gilt fillets on the covers, spine with decorated nerves (period binding). A famous French squire (1578-1651) and gentleman from Tours, Menou was squire of the Grande Ecurie under Henry IV and Louis XIII. Rare edition illustrated with an engraved title showing "La vraye posture du bel homme de cheval", a portrait of Menou drawn and engraved by François Chauveau and 4 unsigned double-page plates. Scattered foxing, binding faded, some restorations (Mennessier de La Lance, II, 188).

[CHAPPUZEAU (Samuel). LYON DANS SON LUSTRE. Lyon, Scipion Lasserne, 1656. Small in-4° of [16]-112 pages, half red morocco with corners (Koehler). This rare volume opens with a remarkable frontispiece depicting a map of the city inscribed on the body of a lion in a frame of oak leaves; the town hall occupies the background of the engraving, which is by Claudine Brunaud. The work, a sort of guide, is only cited by Brunet in his supplement after the copy in the B.N. The frontispiece is trimmed short. Scattered foxing (Saffroy, II, 28241). Provenance: Ex-libris J. Renard and old handwritten mention. "Exemplaire de M. La Roche Lacarelle".

[BEAULIEU (Sébastien de). THE GLORIOUS CONQUESTS OF LOUIS THE GREAT. Paris, chez le sieur de Beaulieu, no date (circa 1665). 2 volumes in-4° oblong, granite calf, ribbed spine (17th century binding). Plans and profiles of the main towns in the duchy of Lorraine and Bar. General title, engraved title, folio of French acquisitions in Lorraine, general map of Lorraine followed by 68 plates. Bound at the end: - Plans and profiles of the principal towns and places of importance in the county of Burgundy. Engraved title, 1 table leaf and 13 plates. Volume II Plans and profiles of the principal towns and places of the principality of Catalonia. Engraved title, 2 table leaves followed by 3 printed ff. and 88 plates. Bound at the end: - Plans and profiles of Roussillon, Conflant and Cerdagne... Engraved title, 8 leaves of names and tables and 25 plates. Bound at the end: - Plans and profiles of the principal towns and places of importance in the county of Burgundy. Engraved title, 2 leaves of table and 27 plates. This set contains 221 remarkable maps and views of towns in the various regions annexed to France under Richelieu and Mazarin. One spine split over a few centimetres.

LA FONTAINE (J. de). LES AMOURS DE PSYCHE ET DE CUPIDON (followed by Adonis). Paris, Denis Thierry, 1669. In-8 of [24]-500 pages, red morocco, richly decorated spine, fillets on covers, gilt inner lace, gilt edges (Capé). ORIGINAL EDITION dedicated to the Duchess of Bouillon for these 2 works and for which the privilege was granted on May 2, 1668 to Claude Barbin who gave half of it to Denis Thierry; the copies thus bear indifferently the address of one or the other bookseller. A fine copy. (Tchémerzine III, 878) (Rochambeau p. 591 n°1). Provenance: Library of Henri Monod with his ex-libris and his gilt monogram on the upper corner of the first cover (Sale of 10 March 1920, n°191).

CHEVANES (Jacques de). L'INCREDULITE SCAVANTE ET LA CREDULITE IGNORANTE. Au sujet des magiciens et des sorciers avecque la réponse à Un livre Intitulé Apologie pour Tous Les Grands personnages Qui Ont esté Faussement soupconnés de Magie. Par le P. Jacques d'Autun prédicateur capucin. Lyon, Jean Molin, 1671. In-4° of [40]-1108-[24] pages, brown calf, spine ribbed and decorated (contemporary binding). First edition of a valuable book on demonology. Jacques d'Autun wrote his book after experiencing a witch-hunt in Burgundy in 1644 and his work aims to prove the existence of witches and magicians, shows that there are ways to find out about them and that they must be burned. The work also contains an Answer to the famous French librarian Gabriel Naudé, who wanted to differentiate between the legal and illegal occult. Covers and hinges bumped, inside very fresh with wide margins. (Dorbon, 729) (Caillet, 2333) (Yve-Plessis, 862).

PASCAL (Blaise). PENSEES sur la religion et sur quelques autres sujets, qui ont été trouvées après sa mort parmy ses papiers. Paris, Guillaume Desprez, 1671. In-12 of [76]-348-[20] pages, red jansenist morocco, inner gilt lace, gilt edges (Auguste Petit). Third official edition of Pascal's Pensées, published one year after the original with the privilege dated 27 December 1666. Although the title reads "Troisième édition", it is a forgery of the true second edition with the errors corrected. Spine a little faded, a fine copy bound by Auguste Petit, established in Paris around 1850 (Tchémerzine V, 72).

BREBEUF. LA PHARSALE DE LUCAIN or the civil wars of Caesar and Pompey. En vers françois. Paris, Jean Cochart, 1682. In-12, blond calf, gilt fillets on the boards decorated with the Pompadour coat of arms, ribbed spine, red edges (period binding). Beautiful edition illustrated with a frontispiece and 10 engraved figures. A precious copy bearing the arms of the Marquise de Pompadour, mistress to Louis XV and listed in the catalogue of her 1765 sale under no. 597. Hinges a little cracked with fine old restorations (O.H.R. 2399, iron n°5). Provenance: Marquise de Pompadour.

SMIDS (Ludolph). DE ROOMSCHE KEISERINNEN IN BYSCHRIFTEN. Tot Amsterdam, Jan Ten Hoorn, 1688. In-12, 79-[1] pages, stiff vellum, boards decorated in the Du Seuil style, gilt edges (contemporary binding). First edition of this chronological history of the Roman empresses illustrated in the legends. LUXURY COPY PRINTED IN GOLDEN CHARACTER with the title vignette coloured at the time. Stains on the boards else a good copy.

[COLONIA]. RELATION DE CE QUI S'EST FAIT A LYON AU PASSAGE DE MONSEIGNEUR LE DUC DE BOURGOGNE ET DE MONSEIGNEUR LE DUC DE BERRY, depuis le 9 d'Avril jusques au 13 du même mois, 1701. Lyon, Louis Pascal (1701). In-4° of 52 pages, fawn basane, triple gilt fillet, spine ribbed and decorated (modern binding). Following, in continuous pagination with its own dated title: DESSEIN DU FEU D'ARTIFICE DRESSE SUR LA RIVIERE DE LA SAONE. Lyon, Louis Pascal, 1701. Attached: STATUTES DES MAITRES CHARPENTIERS DE PARIS. Paris, 1785. In-4° of 17 pages, marbled calf. Copy with the arms of Louis XVI. Set of 2 volumes in fine condition.

MISSALE sacri ordiniis Praedicatorum auct. Apost. approbatum Thomas Ripoll. - LE MISSALE DE SAINT JEAN DE LA PORTE LATINE. Rome, Typis Jérôme Mainard, 1726. In folio of [24]-43-[617-127-[4(of 15)] pages, red morocco, boards decorated with a central gilt motif with the inscription "In Principio Erat", inscribed in a book held in one hand and surrounded by 3 fleur-de-lys, surmounted by the name T. Richard, 1733; gilt framing presented by 2 rampant lions gazing with 4 roosters at the corners surmounted by clasped hands, the whole framed at the corners by cherubs' heads, wide gilt lace, highly ornate ribbed spine, gilt edges, green cloth bookmarks (binding signed Théodore Richard). MAGNIFICENT ORNAMED AND DATED BINDING BY THEODORE RICHARD, LYONNAIS BOOKBINNER, inducted by the community of Master Bookbinders in Lyon on July 24, 1713. This Dominican missal, bearing the arms of the printer-binders of Lyon, was offered by the latter to the Jacobins church to celebrate their corporate mass at Saint Jean de la Porte latine. The words "In Principio Erat", the solemn beginning of the Gospel of Saint John, patron saint of printers, confirm the book's origin. The work is illustrated with a frontispiece and 10 (out of 11) full-page engravings and numerous music leaves printed in red. Folio Dd4 is missing, a fleuron formerly restored. RARE LYONNAISE BINDING DATED AND SIGNED. (Regulations and statutes for the community of Master Booksellers. Lyon, Vialon, 1742, p. 57) (Cormier, L'ancien couvent des dominicains, 1898, p. 23).