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104 - PLUVINEL (Antoine de). L'Instruction du Roy en l'Exercice de…
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Estimate €6,000 - €8,000
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Description
PLUVINEL (Antoine de). L'Instruction du Roy en l'Exercice de Monter à Cheval [...] Lequel respondant à sa majesté luy fait remarquer l'excellence de sa méthode pour réduire les chevaux en peu de temps à l'obéissance des justes proportions de tous les plus beaux airs de maneiges. Le tout enrichi de grandes figures en taille-douce (...). Paris, Pierre Rocolet, 1627. One volume in folio, full late 19th century red morocco, ornate ribbed spine, boards in the du Seuil style with a stylized monogram in the centre of the first mosaic of black and olive green morocco topped by a royal crown, all edges gilt (binding signed L. CLAESSENS & FILS). Upper spine rubbed, endpapers reinforced with adhesive tape, the next three blank pages cut out, discreet and skilful restoration of small tears in the margins of some plates, a few minor freckles or stains. (1) title f., title-frontispice, 4 portraits, (4) ff. 207 pp. divided into three parts (1-70; 71-115, 117-207), 62 pl. A double-page title-frontispiece (Paris, Crispin de Pas, 1625), 3 full-page portraits (Louis XIII, Pluvinel, Menou) and 1 hors-texte (Roger de Bellegarde), 62 double-page plates: 56 animated in an architectural frame with the arms of France and Navarre and 6 of the spines; all from drawings by Crispin de Pas, mounted on mitre. Second French edition, after the one published in Paris by Michel Nivelle in 1625, of this reference work in which Pluvinel, squire to Henri IV and tutor to Louis XIII, develops, in the form of dialogues between the latter and his riding master, an innovative method for his time, based on gentleness, progressiveness and understanding of the horse, as opposed to earlier coercive methods ("the brain more than the kidneys or legs" (Brunet IV, 749)). "Pluvinel's bibliography is not easy to compile and, despite extensive research, I cannot guarantee that it is free from error. It is in fact difficult to find a copy as it left the printer's presses. In some copies, plates are missing; in others, plates have been added that were not originally there, or they have been supplemented with plates from other editions. I have even come across editions in which the titles and text belong to different editions. Finally, sometimes the vintage has been scratched out and altered in a way that is difficult to recognise." Mennessier de La Lance ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE BOOKS OF EQUITATION in a luxurious signed morocco binding by Claessens et fils. Laurent Claessens began bookbinding in 1854 and went into partnership with his son Paul-Joseph in 1885, who founded and directed the École de Reliure d'Art de Bruxelles.
See original version (French)
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About the sale Sale of antique and modern books, including hunting and riding libraries
Auction location
Auction time 06/30/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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