Histoire chronologique de la grande chancellerie de France.

New expanded edition, the first in two volumes with important tables, published at the Chancellor's request. The original first appeared in 1676; it was continued in this edition by René Le Comte for the supporting documents for the period 1676-1705, furthermore the material compiled by Tessereau was entirely reworked for this new edition.
Contemporary full brown sheep binding. Spine with six raised bands decorated with gilt compartments and fleurons, as well as red morocco title and volume labels. All edges speckled red. Spine worn (lacking headcaps and with losses to the sheep). Scuffing and corners slightly bumped. Contemporary bookplate pasted on pastedowns.
Major source on the history of the Chancellery in France; this institution, as ancient as the monarchy, was formed by the body of chancellors such as the chancellor, the keeper of the seals, the great auditors, secretaries of the king of the grand college, the treasurers, controllers, wax-heaters and other officers (the chancellery being today nothing more than the ministry of justice). Tessereau assembled a collection of precious documents for the historian on the officers of the chancellery, their functions and prerogatives, on the various chancelleries in the kingdom... It is more a compilation and publication of documents than a historian's work, but the work is no less important.