Illustrated books from the 17th century

Rare first edition, illustrated with an engraved frontispiece (cf. Barbier II 802; Cioranescu 65461).

Contemporary full mottled brown calf, spine with five raised bands tooled with gilt fillets and decorated in gilt compartments with floral tools, gilt roll-tooling to the head- and tailcaps, rubbing to the joints, mottled edges; period binding.

The work is attributed to Claude Vanel, who served as counsellor at the Cour des Comptes in Montpellier.

Provenance: from the library of Jacques Charreton, a Lyon jurist contemporary with the publication, with his armorial bookplate (Meyer-Noirel C 0949) to the pastedown.

Manuscript shelf-mark in ink to a flyleaf.

First edition, illustrated with four plates, including a folding world map (cf. Sinkankas 3466; Agassiz III, 370).

Full fawn calf, spine with five slender raised bands, gilt-tooled compartments with occasionally softened floral tools, rubbed gilt headcaps, brown morocco lettering-piece, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, gilt dentelle framing the pastedowns, gilt fillets to board edges, marbled edges, contemporary binding.

Repairs to the spine, one joint split at head and foot, browning along the board margins with surface scratches, scattered foxing, a waterstain at the head of all leaves.

A noteworthy treatise devoted to yellow amber and above all to ambergris, the fragrant substance derived from the intestinal concretions of sperm whales which, once expelled, float on the surface of the sea and yield a highly prized perfume.

The plates depict a frog and a lizard embedded in amber, a world map (Africa, Europe, Asia and part of the Southern Lands), figures collecting bird droppings, and various animals.

"This book commonly appears in bibliographies on amber when in fact it is about ambergris, but Klobius examines both substances and notes their differences on p. 26-9. One of the plates shows a frog and a lizard imbedded in amber, both of which are fakes" [Sinkankas].

On the title-page, a distinguished manuscript ex-libris in black ink

New edition illustrated with 79 woodcuts in the text (cf. Bibliographie der Spielbücher).

Contemporary limp vellum, plain spine rubbed and soiled, covers stained.

Light dampstaining at the head of the opening leaves, at the foot of the first part, and affecting other leaves.

The work is generally attributed to Father Leurechon (1591-1670), a Jesuit from Lorraine, professor of mathematics, philosophy and theology at the University of Pont-à-Mousson (Dictionary of Scientific Biography VIII 271), though its authorship remains disputed (cf. David Singmaster, Bibliography of Some Recreational Mathematics Books, 2004, who attributes it to Hendrik van Etten).

Good edition, published by J.B. Carpzov, illustrated with a frontispiece and a copper-engraved map of Judea in the text (see Graesse IV, 209).

The work includes numerous passages printed in Hebrew.

See Röhricht, p. 240, for a separate edition of the geographical and topographical prefaces to each gospel ("chorographia").

Contemporary full stiff ivory vellum binding, smooth spine, large later-added brown morocco title label mounted on the back, bookplate pasted on the inside cover, red edges.

Some black stains on the boards.

This is the author's most important work; he also dedicated two other volumes to the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles of Saint Paul.

In this volume, the four Gospels are examined through the lens of rabbinic philology: "Lightfoot y a voulu expliquer une foule de passages du Nouveau Testament au moyens des écrits talmudiques et rabbiniques qui dans leur formes de langage rappellent celles des évangélistes et de saint Paul, ou qui font connaître des usages ou des opinions répandus parmi les juifs et auxquels les écrivains sacrés font parfois allusion" [Hoefer]. The prefaces to the four parts of the work are of particular interest: they contain numerous and extensive notes on the geography and topography of Palestine, presented as a repertory.

This treatise was first published in English in 1644 and 1650. Graesse lists three Latin editions printed in Leipzig: 1675, 1677, and 1684. According to Hoefer, the Horae Hebraicae is the author's “most remarkable and most useful” work.

After studying classics and theology at Cambridge, John Lightfoot [1602–1675] "seconda le docteur Whitehead dans la direction de l'école de Rapton, et deux ans après devint chapelain du chevalier Roland Cotton, qu'il accompagna plus tard à Londres. C'est dans la maison de ce seigneur, qui était versé dans la connaissance de l'hébreu, qu'il se mit à l'étude de quelques-unes des langues sémitiques. Il allait passer sur le continent pour profiter des leçons des orientalistes de la Hollande, quand il fut nommé ministre de l'église de Stone, dans le comté de Stafford. Il occupa encore divers autres bénéfices, et fut nommé en 1643 recteur du collège de Sainte-Catherine de Cambridge, et en 1655 vice-chancelier de cette université. Lightfoot était un grand érudit (...) Ses ouvrages se rapportent à l'interprétation des livres saints et à l'explication des antiquités hébraïques" [Hoefer].

Provenance: Armorial bookplate of the Bavarian Sachs family on the front pastedown (circa 1700).

Manuscript ex-libris on the front free endpaper: “Ad Bibliothecam Buschianam” (1753), “Ad Bibliothecam Boissardianam” (1801), “Boissard père et fils” (1802 and 1832). Ink-stamped ex-libris of “Edmond Stapfer” (1873).

A handsome copy.

Rare first edition (cf. Gay 367; Leclerc 638).

The work is illustrated with a map of the port and harbor of Brest and five plates: How the beds of the Negroes are made [and] The house of the Negroes – How the Moors ride their Camels, Horses and Oxen with their merchandise – How the Negroes collect palm wine [sic] [and] How they climb the palm trees [and] How the Negroes make incisions to extract the palm wine [and] how they are dressed – Dress of lords and notable persons – How the women are dressed and how they carry their children on their backs [and] How the Negroes dance in a circle.

This account is considered a valuable narrative, offering noteworthy details on the trade of these regions.

Contemporary full mottled tan calf, spine with five raised bands framed with black fillets, bands renewed, hinges restored, corners worn, minor wear to edges, yellow edges sprinkled with red.

A surgeon at the Hôtel-Dieu in Paris, Le Maire was brought along by Dancourt, director general of the Company.

He left Paris in January 1682 and arrived in Gorée on May 20. It remains unclear why this contemporary of Louis XIV is regularly confused in bibliographies and public catalogues with the Dutch navigator Jacob Le Maire (1585–1616), with whom he shares no connection.

Collective edition, partly original. It is illustrated with 3 frontispiece titles and 23 figures by François Chauveau. The three frontispiece titles dated 1660, the title page of the second volume with the date 1664, the other two title pages dated 1660. In the second volume, the privilege is also dated 1664, while the other two volumes have the privilege dated 1660. The second volume is therefore the 1664 reprint, identical in every respect to the 1660 edition, with the exception of the collation of the preliminary pieces. The three discourses as well as the examinations of each piece appear for the first time.

Binding in full 20th-century chocolate morocco signed Alix at the bottom of the endpapers. Spine with raised bands decorated with 4 grotesque panels, author, title, volume number, and date in gold. Large and rich interior border. Triple fillet border on the boards. Gilt edges. Minimal traces of rubbing. Volumes of great purity, with paper of beautiful freshness. Slipcases edged with chocolate morocco covered with old laid paper.

Magnificent copy.

First edition, illustrated with an allegorical frontispiece and 34 half-page engravings by Sébastien Le Clerc.

Contemporary full red morocco binding with elaborate dentelle gilt decoration. Spine with raised bands, richly tooled in gilt with onion flower motifs. Red morocco title and volume labels. Wide gilt dentelle border on the covers, executed with small tools. Gilt edges. Headcaps, joints, and corners restored; gilt decoration on the headcaps renewed. Noteworthy: the engraving on p.125 has been printed in reverse.

Bookplate with the armorial bearings of Pierre de Laussat, apparently reaffixed to the front endpaper.

Rare illustrated 17th-century reimpression of Abbé Claude Picot's French translation of the Principia Philosophiæ, first published in Amsterdam in 1644. Ownership inscription in black ink on the title page signed "C.J. Bidey Sacerdotis de Dola in utroque lege Licentiam," likely a priest from Dole in the Jura, and a gift inscription in brown ink by "L.F. de Moriat."

Contemporary binding in full speckled brown calf, spine with five raised bands decorated with four richly gilt compartments, red morocco lettering piece, gilt roll on board edges, slightly worn, red speckled edges.

Early restorations to headcaps and joints, two small wormholes to spine, light surface wear and minor staining to boards, corners bumped.

Two marginal tears, not affecting text, to pp. 209, 401, and 483, and a minute hole to p. 371. Nine manuscript lines in brown ink on p. 4, possibly in the same hand as the author of the gift inscription.

The work is illustrated with several engravings, including a plate facing p. 119.

Second collective first edition, with continuous pagination, containing for the first time Phèdre, the Discours prononcé à l'Académie françoise à la réception de Messieurs de Corneille et de Bergeret and the Idylle sur la paix.(Brunet, IV, 1077). Work illustrated with 12 figures including 2 frontispieces, most signed by François Chauveau; the frontispiece of the first volume engraved by Le Brun. 
Edition shared between Barbin, Denys Thierry and Pierre Trabouillet.
Full midnight blue morocco binding from the late 19th century signed at the foot of the pastedown Thibaron-Joly (Former worker of Trautz, Thibaron partnered with the gilder Joly in 1874). Spine with raised bands decorated. Boards à la Du Seuil, executed with a central rectangle formed by a triple fillet, with fleurons in the corners followed by a frame of triple fillets. Rich decorative gilt board-edges. Edges gilt. Minimal traces of rubbing. A few rare leaves slightly more yellowed, otherwise, magnificent copy in a condition close to perfection. 
Blue sheepskin bookplate featuring a dolphin in a shield: Bibliothèque Génard. 
Rare collective edition after the first published in 1676 by Claude Barbin, important and sought after for the variants and additions it offers.

Rare first edition, illustrated with an engraved title page and 51 emblems by Adriaen van der Venne, engraved by Wil. Passe, J. Gelle, Cri. Blon, A. Poel and J.S. [Swelinck]. A reprint was issued in 1661; this first edition circulated only among a privileged elite and was not made available to the general public.
Late 18th- or early 19th-century caramel calf-backed binding with small corners. Spine with raised bands and gilt fillets. Brown morocco title label. Upper joint split at head and tail. Some rubbing. Margin of p. 108 restored over 6 cm. A few faint spots of foxing.

First edition published by Antoine Le Bouc in 1642 and later reissued for sale in 1684, with a cancel slip pasted over the original imprint, bearing the updated address of Antoine Vuarin. This intriguing bibliographical feature suggests that a portion of the original printing remained unsold. Notably, the work was never reprinted. Epistle addressed to Cardinal Richelieu.
Fine allegorical frontispiece by Avice. The illustrations include a genealogical chart of the House of Orléans; two genealogical tables of the House of Luxembourg; four plates demonstrating the Marquis de Gesvre's descent from Charlemagne; a plate detailing the quarterings of the Marquis de Noirmoustier's arms; a genealogical table of the Bourbons; and 106 in-text heraldic shields (approximately 10x15 cm), all engraved by Pierre Nolin.
Contemporary full brown calf binding. Spine with raised bands, richly gilt. Surface abrasion to upper board, and three wormholes. One small wormhole at the upper inner margin, developing into a narrow gallery from p. 60, then gradually diminishing. Minor tear (1 cm) in the outer margin of the Luxembourg genealogical plate. Lacks the preliminary blank before the frontispiece.
A very attractive copy, remarkably well-preserved.

First edition, rare, and illustrated with numerous woodcuts in the text including 11 vignettes, one large figure (p.179), 4 coats of arms and 14 miniature portraits.

Copy with 19th-century armorial binding of Baron Pavée de Vendeuvre, with his motto: Ardeo persevero spero.
Contemporary full brown sheep binding. Spine with raised bands decorated. Brown sheep title label. Head restored with tooling renewed, several restorations to joints. Upper joint cracked at head. Numerous pagination errors.
The purpose of this study is to elevate funeral ceremonies to the level of fine arts practice in France. As a first example, Ménestrier describes the funeral rites of Queen Marie-Thérèse of Austria at Saint-Denis, then funeral ceremonies among various peoples. The author provides information on what should be done regarding epitaphs, decorations, what music may be played... and gives extensive details on the possibilities of funeral staging. He also treats emblems, coats of arms...

First edition illustrated with 47 charming emblematic figures arranged on 13 plates on fine paper and a title headpiece. Only the title vignette is signed Gaudier. Lacking the frontispiece. Each figure in a medallion features the sun in a dominant position and a symbolic element such as a musical instrument, a landscape, an animal, as well as a Latin motto. Rare printing from Aix-en-Provence.

Late 19th-century Bradel binding in half beige cloth. Smooth spine with dark red shagreen title label running lengthwise. The plates have slightly narrower outer margins than the leaves. Some foxing, particularly on the title page.

First complete collected edition and first illustrated edition. The first edition of Dom Garcie de Navarre, L'Impromptu de Versailles, Dom Juan ou le Festin de Pierre, Les Amans magnifiques, and La Comtesse d'Escarbagnas. With thirty copper engraved illustrations by Jean Sauvé after Pierre Brassart, 9 of them included in the pagination.
19th-century red full morocco binding, spines with five raised bands, date gilt at foot, double gilt fillets to edges of covers and spine-ends, large inned gilt dentelle, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Bindings signed M. Lortic.

An exceptional copy of the famous 1682 edition housed in a very elegant binding by Marcelin Lortic, who succeeded his father Pierre-Marcellin Lortic - Baudelaire's binder.

The rare first edition, illustrated with a title-frontispiece and 22 plates after paintings by Eustache Le Sueur and engraved by François Chauveau. Captions of the engravings in two columns, one verse in Latin, with its translation alongside. Brunet III, 1020.
Half chocolate-brown glazed shagreen binding circa 1860 with corners, signed L. Fixon at the bottom of the last leaf. Jansenist spine with raised bands. Engraved title, as well as the initials S. D. Tears with lacks to the lower board. Cut to one corner of the lower board and corner slightly bumped. Some rubbing. Fine copy, very fresh.
Le Sueur painted between 1645 and 1648 the cycle of the life of Saint Bruno, a set of 22 canvases commissioned to adorn the cloister of the Charterhouse of Paris. Le Sueur asserted his own style inherited from Poussin's classicism and his master Simon Vouet. These canvases were later purchased by Louis XVI in 1776. They are now in the Louvre. François Chauveau is one of the most illustrious French engravers of the 17th century, and one of the 4 engravers cited by Charles Perrault in his Hommes illustres, and one of the principal representatives of the etching technique. In his Voyage pittoresque de Paris, Dezallier D'Argenville thus describes the cloister of the Charterhouse: "Le petit cloître mérite une attention particulière. Le Raphaël français Eustache Le Sueur y a représenté en vingt-deux tableaux peints sur bois les principales circonstances de la vie de S. Bruno [...] Ce cloître a été gravé par François Chauveau d'une manière qui rend assez bien le caractère de Le Sueur." ["The small cloister deserves particular attention. The French Raphael Eustache Le Sueur has represented there in twenty-two paintings on wood the principal circumstances of the life of St. Bruno [...] This cloister has been engraved by François Chauveau in a manner that renders quite well the character of Le Sueur."]

The rare first edition. Printed in two columns. Vignette of a sphere on the title page. 14 in-text figures and diagrams and numerous tables, notably a calendar of the position of the stars and zodiac figures, tables of latitudes and longitudes.

Contemporary limp vellum binding with flaps. Smooth spine unlettered. Traces of ties. Split to upper joint at head over two centimeters. Various stains. Lacking the first endleaf before the title. Lower right corner of title page missing. Brown stain to lower right corner from leaf 14 to leaf 32.

Commentary by Georg Henisch on the treatise of the sphere by Proclus, the celebrated Neo-Platonic philosopher of the 5^th century. The first part is a Latin translation, with the Greek text on the left, of the treatise of the sphere. This astronomical treatise follows Ptolemy's system and studies the theory of the five climatic zones, seeking to clearly explain astronomical phenomena.

First bilingual French-German edition, illustrated with 71 plates and a fortification table.
Contemporary full ivory vellum binding. Smooth spine decorated with triple blind fillets, title and author in pen. Boards framed with triple blind fillets; traces of clasps. All edges blue. Six small contemporary leather bookmarks. Bavarian bookplate of the period.
Spine split with a small loss along its entire length. One joint slightly cracked (1.5cm). A small ink stain on the second board. Pages uniformly and lightly browned. Front pastedown affected by bookworm damage.

Rare assemblage of the two parts usually found separated of the Palais. While the Palais de la gloire does not constitute a sequel in the strict sense, it is a second volume envisaged by the author. It remains uncertain why this one appeared with another publisher; perhaps this change, together with the year separating the two first editions, accounts for the constant separation of the works.
Later edition of the Palais de l'honneur, first published in 1663, and first edition of the Palais de la gloire. The first work is illustrated with an allegorical frontispiece by Chauveau and 12 engraved plates of coats of arms.
Contemporary full brown sheep binding. Spine with raised bands, gilt-tooled. Red morocco lettering-piece. Headcap partially worn away (same at foot). Upper joint cracked and split at head along the first compartment. Corners rubbed. Initial leaves of the second work toned. The 12 plates are unpaginated; moreover, the Palais de la gloire begins at p. 288, without any loss, as in all copies (noting in particular numerous pagination errors).

New edition and first printing of the illustrations: a frontispiece, 62 plates and 241 in-text figures as well as a folding plate on the organization of a Roman camp.
Title page in red and black.

Later 19th-century half-vellum binding. Unlettered smooth spine.

First edition. P. Michel (works in Italian preserved in libraries in France) VIII, 120. Work illustrated with 95 plates on wood.

Contemporary binding in full vellum, handwritten title in ink. Spine browned and stains on the boards. A clear waterstain on the lower margin throughout the work, not affecting the text.

Giuseppe Viola Zanini (1575-1631), who was born in Vicenza and died in Padua, was a painter and an architect who worked in the Venice area. He was more of a decorative painter, renowned for such, than an active architect; architecture interested him as a means of expression of painted decoration. The work is divided into two parts, the first part focuses on the origins of architecture and its composing elements, as well as the way in which we must build; the second book is entirely devoted to the five orders. This book was largely studied outside of Italy, and in particular by Blondel in France.

Rare first edition illustrated with 38 woodcuts in the text and 4 half-page copper engravings (one repeated). A very fine frontispiece by Hoos.) Brunet, 29030.
Half calf binding with smooth spine decorated with small corners. Green title-label, fleurons and wave-pattern fillets. Late 18th-century binding. Two-thirds of the work has browned text, often heavily. The second part lacks a title page.
Jean Scheffer (1621-1679) was born in Strasbourg, he was welcomed to Sweden by Queen Christina and appointed librarian of the academy and obtained through the Queen's protection the chair of eloquence and public law at the University of Uppsala. He also wrote a history of Lapland. The De re vehiculi is one of his most scholarly works, on a subject that was not often studied, means of transport in antiquity. It is the most complete work on this subject. Brunet 29030.

Rare second edition by Blaes illustrated with 12 plates. Rare edition by Thomas Syndenham, not found in European libraries. We do not know if this is the first. Title pages in red and black. Absent from Brunet.

Contemporary full calf binding, decorated spine with raised bands, red morocco title label. Rubbing.

This work by Gerard Blaes (1625-1692), Dutch physicist, anatomist (he was the creator of comparative anatomy) and physician who practiced in Amsterdam and was a famous leader in his field, is one of the most celebrated treatises on teratology, the science of monsters.

Thomas Syndenham (1624-1689) was an English physicist and physician, famous for introducing opium, laudanum and morphine into medicine as painkillers and analgesics against pain. The two books by Blaes and Syndenham are medical treatises containing various observations, with the section on monsters appearing after the observations.