Abraham Nicolas AMELOT DE LA HOUSSAYE

Edition with some parts in first edition, rare, much preferable to the 1676 original which contains only the first part; this one is therefore considerably expanded with major pieces. A frontispiece representing Saint Mark's Square in Venice. The 1677 edition contains 3 titles for each part plus an added title summarizing the whole; one will easily notice that these three parts are very rarely found together in libraries (see Oxford, Leeds...), and that they most often appear separately. There were undoubtedly several editions at this date of 1677, of which only this one contains the three parts. Moreover this edition with the sphere would suggest that it was printed elsewhere; the third part bears Ratisbon as place of edition and Jean Aubry as publisher. This part contains the Harangue of Louis Helian, Ambassador of France under Louis XII.
Contemporary full glazed brown calf binding. Spine with raised bands, unlettered, decorated with blind roulettes on the headcaps and raised bands. Blind fillets on the boards. Good copy.
More than a history of Venice, this is a critical study of its institutions and laws. The book was very poorly received in Venice where it was burned, diplomatic relations with France became embittered (Amelot de la Houssaye was embassy secretary in Venice), and the king of France was more or less forced to deliver the author to the Bastille (for six days) to satisfy Venice. The supplement studies and recounts the disputes that the Republic had with Pope Paul V. The third part of the book is a translation of a book by Fra Paolo. The Harangue of Louis Hélian was pronounced in 1510 before Emperor Maximilian, it very sharply accuses the republic of Venice of numerous evils.

First edition of historian Nicolas Amelot de la Houssaye's translation - the second French translation of The Prince - with commentary, with an unsigned frontispiece portrait of the author by Ertinger, and a vignette title-page. Numerous head and tail-pieces.
Bound in full brown roan, spine with five raised bands elaborately decorated in gilt, gilt title, sprinkled edges. Tiny leather tears at the edges, corners rubbed, damp stain to the lower margin on the last hundred leaves and wormholes on the last few leaves, without affecting the text.
A fine copy of one of the greatest masterpieces of political philosophy.
Ebert, 12672.

Second edition of historian Nicolas Amelot de la Houssaye's translation - the second French translation of The Prince - with commentary, and an unsigned frontispiece portrait of the author by Ertinger, as well as a vignette title-page. Numerous headbands in the text.
Full brown roan, spine with five raised bands elaborately decorated in gilt, gilt title, sprinkled edges. Small tears to the leather at the edges, corners rubbed, damp stain to the lower margin on the last hundred leaves and wormholes on the last few leaves, not affecting the text.
A fine copy of one of the greatest masterpieces of political philosophy.
Ebert, 12672.