Maximes des princes et estats souverains

Sphere edition, from the Elzevier press. The meaning of the word Maximes is quite removed from the modern sense, it is more closely linked to what governs the interests of Princes, and by which precisely they are bound. The book forms a history of international relations, studying the interests that each nation has over another: France over Flanders, the Holy Empire over France, Denmark over... It is certain that these interests are of a historical, genealogical order... The work by Courtilz de Sandras is an imitation in form of the work by the Duke of Rohan which had appeared previously under the title: Intérêts et maximes des princes et des estats souverains; his book tends to present itself as a sequel, but it is written with greater scope than that of the Duke of Rohan.
Contemporary full blonde calf binding. Decorated raised spine. Blonde calf title-label. P. 34 an area of the page in the margin blacked out, with loss of a few letters. A tear on p. 163 with small lack to lower corner. Handsome copy.