Robert Ballard

First edition of the third part appeared in 1654 (first 30 chapters) and following the third and fourth published in 1656. The first two books were published simultaneously in 1651. A frontispiece and 20 figures etched intaglio of after David H. and R. Du Clos for the first book volume II and 47 of the same figures for the second book volume III. Beautiful and fine prints including many scenes of martyrs and torture. The series of engravings are particularly beautiful.
Full morocco bindings brown-black late ^eighteenth signed Smeers. Back with nerves decorated with 4 small florets; dates tail and golden shares. Grand central medallion on the dishes, coaching cold with angle irons. Large inner lace. Gilt edges. Some minor scratches. Upper border of Volume III partly rubbed. Only downside to add to the description the two volumes are the volume numbers II and III.
This translation and paraphrase verse of the Imitation shook the French Christian world and had a lasting influence on the spiritual life in the seventeenth ^century.
Very nice copy, well established, and a beautiful freshness.