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237 - SULLY (Maximilien de BETHUNE, Duke of). Memoirs of the Wise …
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Estimate €300 - €350
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Description
SULLY (Maximilien de BETHUNE, Duke of). Memoirs of the Wise and Royal Economies of State, Domestic, Political and Military Affairs of Henry the Great, the Model for Kings, the Prince of Virtues, Arms and Laws, and indeed the Father of his French People. Amstelredam, Aletinosgraphe de Clearetimelee & Graphexechon de Pistariste, under the sign of the three Virtues crowned with amaranth, undated [i.e. Bouquet, Château de Sully, 1638]. 2 volumes in 1 folio volume of [4] ff., 535 pp.; [4] ff., 463 pp. [ch. 459]. Marbled havana calfskin, spine with 6 raised bands, title page in red morocco, double gilt fillet on the covers, speckled edges. (Contemporary binding). One of the two counterfeits of the extremely rare first edition of these Memoirs, printed at the Château de Sully by a certain BOUQUET from Auxerre or Angers. SULLY was thus able to supervise the printing. In the light of current knowledge, it appears that our copy, which nevertheless meets the criteria set out by Brunet for identifying copies of the first edition—namely the printing in Roman type of the ‘Parallels between Caesar and Henry the Great’, a section printed in italics in the counterfeits, is in fact one of the two counterfeits of the famous first edition. Among other distinctive typographical features, the use of “royalle” in the title distinguishes these forgeries from the genuine first edition, which uses the word “royale”. The titles of the two parts are adorned with the emblem of the House of Sully, hand-painted (three V’s surmounted by a crown of amaranth). The remainder of these Memoirs did not appear until long after the minister’s death, in Paris, in 1662. Goldsmith, B-720; Brunet, V, col. 589–590 (‘fairly rare’). Spine restored, label replaced, tear in the middle of the upper hinge, a few loose quires, corner of the last folio restored.
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About the sale ONLINE MULTISPECIALITIES Last session of the season
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Auction time 07/02/2026 at 5:00 PM
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