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an open book sitting on top of a white table next to a glassan open book with a picture of a man in a suit and tiea brown book with a gold design on the coveran open book sitting on top of a white table next to a penan open book with writing on it on a tablean open book with writing on it sitting on a tablean old brown book with a gold cross on the covera brown leather journal with a gold cross on it
Premium Maîtres Martial Bournier & Guillaume Poivre

333 - [16th-century book]. [Typography].
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Estimate €6,000 - €8,000
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Description
[16th-century book]. [Typography]. PALAEPHATUS; GUÉROULT (Guillaume), [trans.]. The First Book of Fable-like Narratives, with Discourses, the Truth Behind Them, and Stories Thereof… To which we have added some poetic sonnets by the same translator. In Lyon, from the Press of R. Granjon, 1558. Small quarto (175 x 122 mm, unbound), [4]–LIX (i.e. 60) folios. [sign. *4, a-p4], Lavallière morocco, spine with 5 raised bands, title, place and date in gold, large gold fleur-de-lis in the centre of each cover, double gold fillet at the edges, interior lace, edges gilt on marbled paper [Chambolle-Duru] (minor scuffing, a tear to one corner; very slight soiling in the margins, a few very skilful restorations in the margins of the title page and the very first leaves). A fine copy of one of the very first books printed in civil type. We owe the design of this new typeface to the Lyon-based printer, bookseller, engraver and typefounder Robert Granjon (c. 1513–1590). Combining great elegance with perfect legibility, it perfectly imitates the Gothic cursive script used in the 16th century. First edition of the Latin translation of a curious treatise, the only one to have survived by the Greek philosopher Palaiphatos, who lived in the 4th century BC. The author’s aim is to provide a rational interpretation of Greek myths. The translator, Guillaume Guéroult (1507–1569), a bookseller, poet and musician who converted to Protestantism, took refuge in Geneva, from where he was eventually expelled for failing to comply with ecclesiastical ordinances; he then moved to Lyon, where he worked as a typesetter; he is also the author of collections of songs and books of emblems. Elegant original binding by Chambolle-Duru. Provenance: Techener (May 1885, no. 231, catalogue entry pasted to the lower inside cover), Charles Lormier (II, 1902, no. 780, bookplate) and Édouard Pelay (I, 1923, no. 216, bookplate). (USTC 8158; Baudrier II, 59).
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About the sale Standard sale in Charleville-Mézières
Auction location
Auction time 11/01/2026 at 9:30 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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