Histoire du gouvernement de Venise, avec le supplément; et l'examen de la liberté originaire de Venise

Edition with some parts in first edition, rare, much preferable to the 1676 original which contains only the first part; this one is therefore considerably expanded with major pieces. A frontispiece representing Saint Mark's Square in Venice. The 1677 edition contains 3 titles for each part plus an added title summarizing the whole; one will easily notice that these three parts are very rarely found together in libraries (see Oxford, Leeds...), and that they most often appear separately. There were undoubtedly several editions at this date of 1677, of which only this one contains the three parts. Moreover this edition with the sphere would suggest that it was printed elsewhere; the third part bears Ratisbon as place of edition and Jean Aubry as publisher. This part contains the Harangue of Louis Helian, Ambassador of France under Louis XII.
Contemporary full glazed brown calf binding. Spine with raised bands, unlettered, decorated with blind roulettes on the headcaps and raised bands. Blind fillets on the boards. Good copy.
More than a history of Venice, this is a critical study of its institutions and laws. The book was very poorly received in Venice where it was burned, diplomatic relations with France became embittered (Amelot de la Houssaye was embassy secretary in Venice), and the king of France was more or less forced to deliver the author to the Bastille (for six days) to satisfy Venice. The supplement studies and recounts the disputes that the Republic had with Pope Paul V. The third part of the book is a translation of a book by Fra Paolo. The Harangue of Louis Hélian was pronounced in 1510 before Emperor Maximilian, it very sharply accuses the republic of Venice of numerous evils.