THOMAS A KEMPIS

First issue of this spectacular edition of The Imitation of Christ, published by Léon Curmer in 1856-1857 and conceived throughout in imitation of illuminated manuscripts. The volume comprises 437 chromolithographed pages, each set within a broad polychrome border heightened with gold and almost always different; facing pages are frequently designed to answer one another decoratively. Five compositions occupy a full page, and all leaves are mounted on guards. The separately published Appendix of 1858 is not present.

First illustrated edition with 20 woodcuts by Christoffel van Sichem, decorated with initial letters and tailpieces, printed in Gothic type.
Our copy is presented in original wrappers within a contemporary half morocco slipcase with raised bands in old rose, gilt date at foot, vellum-style paper boards.
Jacob Stratius (Antwerp 1559-Leuven 1634) was rector of the Jesuit college of Leuven, notably writing compilation works (...Wars of Flanders). This work by Thomas A Kempis is also a compilation and edition by Jean Stratius.

Sumptuous edition printed on laid paper by Pierre-François Didot, decorated with a portrait of the infant Jesus engraved in copper by Klauber.
Near-contemporary binding (circa 1800) in full blonde calf. Spine with five raised double bands decorated with gilt compartments and fillets, as well as anchor tools, a red morocco title-label and green morocco publisher's label. Wide gilt floral dentelle framing the pastedowns. Greek-style dentelle framing the pastedowns. All edges gilt.
Two corners damaged, lower part of the joints destroyed by worms. A very faint and minimal dampstain in the margin of the last page.
Fine full-margined copy, elegantly established in an elegant...

With a frontispiece illustration showing Jesus carrying the cross as well as four plates signed N. Pilau.
Contemporary dark blue morocco, high quality and attributable to Luc-Antoine Boyet. Spine in six compartments richly gilt with compartments and fleurons, as well as purple title label. Covers with large dentelle frame and gilt fillets. Large gilt dentelle frame to red morocco endpapers. Gilt points and dashes to head- and tail-pieces and edges of covers. All edges gilt. One tear without lack to lower margin of page 61. Less than skillful repairs to joints.
A superb copy in contemporary lined morocco of a rare color.