The rare first edition, illustrated with 100 in-text figures of medals, each showing obverse and reverse. Of the three parts that were to appear successively, only this one was published, Le Menestrier's death having put an end to this work. The work was not even put on sale; the author only distributed a few copies around him. It is therefore very rare to come across this edition. The 1642 edition entitled Medales illustrées des anciens Empereurs et Impératrices de Rome is the same work to which the publisher Paillot added the Médailles des impératrices from a manuscript he had purchased from the heirs. Jean-Baptiste Le Menestrier, antiquarian, should not be confused with the heraldist Claude François Menestrier, who died in 1704.
Half blonde calf binding ca 1820. Smooth spine decorated with a fleuron and a long tool, fillets and roulettes. Navy blue calf title label. Surface abrasion and a small lack along the upper joint.
Manuscript ownership inscription on title page: Mgr. de Beauveau, archevêque de Narbonne.
The book catalogs the medals of the emperors of Rome.
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