Fédéric Morel (actif 1557-1630)

A rare first edition, of which no subsequent reprint exists, complete with all his Neo-Latin poems, chiefly composed in Rome. The volume also contains two Greek poems at ff. 60 and 62, together with a poem which inspired the celebrated sonnet Happy he who like Ulysses.

Modern binding in full limp vellum, smooth spine, red edges, white pastedowns and endleaves.

Some defects within: discreet restoration to inner margin of title verso; small tear without loss at foot of ff. 2-3; dampstaining to lower margin of ff. 25-28 and 45-48; minimal marginal defect to f. 44, not affecting text.

 

Published in March 1558, this precious copy contains four books of Latin poems - Elegiæ, Varia Epigr[ammata], Amores [Faustinae], Tumuli - written by Du Bellay in Rome and Paris between 1553 and 1557. The collection, also referred to as Poemata or Œuvres latines, appeared in the same year as three other works from his Roman period: Les Regrets, Divers Jeux Rustiques, and Les Antiquitez de Rome.

First edition, a second edition appeared, with the same publisher, the following year. Printer's device, with the tree, on the title page.
Full-margined copy, entirely ruled in red. Privilege dated 17 January 1557.
Reused binding in full cream vellum probably from the 17th century.
In his Hymne au Roy, du Bellay praises the Duke of Guise who retook Calais from the English, on 8 January 1558, after a week's siege and the death of two hundred Englishmen. Let us recall that Calais had been in English hands since 1347.
Other poets would describe the successes of this enterprise in odes, such as Jean Dorat (1505-1588) or Michel de l'Hospital (ca. 1506-1573).
Following the hymn, one finds a patriotic poem: "evocation of the tutelary gods of Guynes". This last was a small fortress that defended Calais and which fell with that city. The pamphlet ends with "Exécration sur l'Angleterre, et un Sonnet à la Royne d'Escosse".
Handsome copy of this publication in which, like other poets of the Pléiade, Joachim Du Bellay rises to the rank of militant court poet.

Rare gathering of 4 pamphlets by Michel de L'Hôpital in first editions. Printer's device on title page. Contemporary monogram stamp on 3 title pages out of 4: four letters appear intertwined: B. E. L. J. Only the last text: De sacra Francisci II dates from 1560, all other titles being from 1558. Text in italics.
Modern binding in full brown boards signed Boichot, smooth spine decorated with a red morocco title-label in Chinese style framed by two double gilt fillets, all edges red.
Small wormholes in the lower part of the first text. Traces of pale dampstains at bottom of pages. One wormhole to the left of the printer's device and passing through the 4 leaves. Pale dampstains throughout. Similarly, pale dampstains throughout the third text, similarly on the last text, more pronounced stains on the final leaves. Missing one blank leaf before the title De caleti et guinae, the signature beginning with A2 with the title page.
He who embodied according to Du Bellay "The double honor of muses and laws" represented for many the providential man when he was appointed Chancellor of France by Catherine de Medici. This humanist who was trained in law in Italy, architect of religious tolerance between Protestants and Catholics, and great jurist of his time, had very early literary renown. The majority of his works are however in relation to his political role, clearly marked by the wisdom of ancient writings (Cicero) and the teaching of Saint Paul for religion; one distinguishes there a sort of Christian stoicism. In his time, his famous Epistles were compared to those of Horace, and his satires were much appreciated at court. He was very early the protector of the poets of the Pléiade, and particularly of Ronsard who addressed an ode to him in 1550: Ode à Michel de L'Hospital. The publication at Frédéric Morel of L'Hospital's works confirms his proximity with the poets of the time, Morel was indeed the most renowned publisher of poets and humanists then in Paris. Monsieur de Sainte Marthe claimed that L'Hospital had imitated Horace more than any other poet, that he had not only equaled him for the beauty of expression and gravity of sentences, but that he had surpassed him by the sweetness of his versification. Monsieur de Thou shared this opinion on the neo-Latin poet. His writings were collected by Patisson in 1585.

According to the privilege, the first edition dates from 1571, the second edition is found in first edition and the third was originally published in 1585.
Contemporary full vellum binding, reusing a manuscript leaf. Crease along right edge. Corners folded on the first 23 leaves. First title page foxed.
Collection of three ordinances concerning election officers, who were responsible for collecting taxes under Henri III. France was indeed divided into elections, ancestors of our departments, and the three ordinances which reintroduce, then abolish and reintroduce again the elected officials and presidents seem to show that tax collection and administration were not yet straightforward in the troubled period of the late Renaissance.