Middle Ages

New edition revised and augmented with notes and observations by N.L. Achaintre.
Half Russian caramel morocco binding, spine with four raised bands set with black wavy fillets and decorated with triple gilt compartments adorned with gilt decorative motifs, friezes and gilt date at foot, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, contemporary binding signed by Thouvenin at foot of spine.
Scattered foxing mainly in margins of leaves.
Handsome copy established in a fine contemporary binding signed by Thouvenin.

First edition dedicated to Marie-Thérèse d'Autriche (1717-1780), Archduchess of Austria and Queen of Hungary. This work was printed by the Society of Jesus, whose motto can be found at the end under the initials O. A. M. D. G., "Omnia ad majorem Dei gloriam". A portrait for each sovereign mentioned, in the form of medallions and headpieces. Title page in red and black.
Full tawny calf binding, spine with six raised bands decorated with gilt fleurons, endpapers and pastedowns of marbled paper, all edges red.
Headcaps clumsily restored, scuffing to boards, corners slightly bumped. Light dampstain to inner margin on the first six gatherings, one leaf restored without loss to the second leaf of the dedicatory epistle.
François Borgia Keri (1702-1768), Hungarian Jesuit, astronomer and historian, taught philosophy and theology at Tyrnau, Hungary. Imperatores orientis presents itself as a chronological study of Byzantine emperors, from Constantine I^st the Great to Constantine XI Palaiologos.

Reprint on laid paper published by Horemans in Lille, using the woodblocks from the edition by Jehan Lecocq in Troyes in 1539.
This work consists of the reproduction of 56 woodcuts after 15th-century xylographs.
Spine faded, front board detached, angular crease mark at head of rear board, handsome interior condition.

First edition of which there were no large paper copies.
A good copy (the volume II was never published).

The first edition published in a small number of copies of this offprint from the bulletin of the archaeological society of Limousin.
Autograph inscription signed by one of the authors to the French society of archaeology, who also signed for the co-author.
Pamphlet illustrated with one plate hors-texte.
Spine and boards marginally sunned without gravity, one lack and some stains on the second board, handsome interior condition.
Rare.

First edition.
Half Russian morocco binding in aubergine, smooth spine decorated with gilt cartouches enhanced at angles with gilt fleurons, some rubbing to joints and headcaps, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, lower corners slightly bumped with a light tear to one leading edge, marbled edges, Romantic binding.
A small lack of paper of no consequence to one blank endpaper, some light foxing.

The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Signed autograph inscription from Maurice Bouvier-Ajam to Madame Bastiel.
Handsome copy complete with publisher's slip.

New edition illustrated with a portrait of Saint-Louis as frontispiece and engraved by Boizot.
Half navy blue glazed calf binding, lightened spine with four raised bands set with gilt garlands decorated with gilt fillets and fleurons, slight scratches of no consequence to the joints, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges, elegant Romantic binding signed by Bibolet.
Handsome copy.

Third original edition, revised, corrected and expanded.
Half navy blue sheep binding, spine with five raised bands, two minor accidents to headcaps, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, bookplate pasted to one pastedown.
Work illustrated by A. Pascal-Etienne.
Rare.

Rare first edition printed on strong laid paper.
Half blue calf bindings with corners, smooth spines decorated with gilt fillets forming triple compartments and large Romantic motifs stamped in gold, gilt fillet on covers, some rubbing, pastedowns and endpapers lined with marbled paper, contemporary binding.
Work illustrated with a frontispiece by Barrois in volume I and a frontispiece drawn and engraved by Langlois du-Pont-de-l'Arche in volume II.

first edition of this Rabelaisian style pamphlet directed against Gambetta, one of 300 numbered copies on paper of the Netherlands.
Binding to open bradel ivory wove, smooth back, red mesh frame compositions painted boards and boards to centers: a bookplate and a monogram on the first front cover and Léon Gambetta dabbling in a bathtub on the second, fragile parchment wrappers preserved and bound in, contemporary binding signed Dodé.
Nadar handwritten signature under the justification of the draw.
Book adorned the author of illustrations.
Provenance: Library of Frederick Lachèvre, bibliographer, specialist in French poetry, with its large bookplate engraved and painted emblem repeated in the first boardes. A book illustration is reproduced on the lower flat of each volume.
Some light and light bites to bookbinding.

First edition.
Illustrated pamphlet with a reproduction of a portrait of Henri de Marle.
Spine and boards lightly and marginally sunned without significance, handsome interior condition.

First edition published in a small number of copies of this offprint from L'Ecole des Chartes.
Joint cracked at foot, boards and spine lightly and marginally sunned, small corner lacks to boards, handsome interior condition.

First edition printed on laid paper.
Bound in half dark green morocco with corners, smooth spines faded and decorated with gilt cartouches embellished with gilt romantic arabesques, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, top edges gilt, contemporary romantic bindings signed by Koehler.
Some occasional light foxing of no consequence.
A handsomely bound copy.

New edition edited by Denys Godefroy, the first of which appeared in 1649. It is illustrated with 3 portraits of Louis XI, the Duke of Burgundy, and Philippe de Commines, as well as a folding plate.
Full vellum binding from the mid-19th century. Smooth spine with blind title. Joint cracked at foot for 6 cm. A brown stain in the outer margin of leaves 435 to 445.
An essential work that gave birth to modern history, Commynes' work, which also establishes a rule of political conduct for the Grandes of the kingdom, forms the greatest source for this period. From 1472 to 1483, after having been advisor to the Duke of Burgundy (Charles the Bold), Commynes entered the service of Louis XI, then Charles VIII and Louis XII. He distinguished himself through his diplomatic talents, notably in Italy; consequently, the Memoirs are also a history of Europe. We too often forget that his exemplary career experienced an interlude of disgrace: opposing young Charles VIII through his liberal ideas, he rallied to the cause of the future Louis XII (plot aimed at kidnapping Charles VIII). He was consequently arrested and imprisoned in an iron cage at Loches for five months, in 1488.
To this day, the work still being studied, Commynes' Memoirs have never failed in success and interest. Denys Godefroy's critical edition replaced the one that had served as reference until then, Savage's version.
Red sheep ex-libris of Jules Janin. A second ex-libris bearing a monogram on blue background P.B.

First edition, review copy.
Signed autograph of Franc-Nohain Robert Garric: "... Remember Lille ..."
Catholic reformist, he was the   founder of "social Teams" in 1920, which aimed to establish a social elite and bring the good word about the brotherhood born of the trenches to the workers, in the tradition of patronage. Simone de Beauvoir, then student of Robert Garric in philosophy at Sainte-Marie Institute of Neuilly, remembers him   in his "Memoirs of a Tidy Wench"   "Garric appeared; I forgot everything else and myself; the authority of his voice subdued me. In twenty years we he explained, he had discovered in the trenches the joys of camaraderie that removed social barriers. [...] To deny all limits and all separations, get out of my class, out of my skin: this slogan electrified me. [...] Must serve my life! Must serve all my life! "
Tiny bites on slightly thinned back, a few minor foxing.

First edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Work complete with its folding plan of the old market of Rouen at rear.
A handsome copy.

First edition.
Half glazed navy calf bindings, smooth spines decorated with gilt compartments embellished with gilt arabesques, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, yellow and speckled edges, bookplates pasted at head of pastedowns, two corners slightly bumped, contemporary bindings.
Some foxing, a repaired tear at head of a marbled endpaper of the first volume, printed bibliophile stamps on title pages.

First edition.
Illustrated pamphlet with two portraits and two seals of Jost de Silenen as frontispiece.
Minor corner creases at foot of text block.

First edition of the adaptation by Jean Ott, of which there were no deluxe copies
Illustrated with a frontispiece by David Ossipovitch Widhopff.
A light tear without gravity to the head of the front cover, handsome copy.

First edition of the adaptation by Jean Ott, of which there were no deluxe copies
Work illustrated with a frontispiece by René Leverd.
Handsome copy.

First collected edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Work illustrated with drawings by D.O. Widhopff, R. Leverd, L. Jonas and M.Q. Point.
Handsome copy.

First edition, of which no deluxe copies were issued.
Half brown shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands set with double black fillets, gilt date at foot, traces of rubbing to spine, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers preserved, top edge gilt, contemporary binding.
Signed autograph inscription from Emile Langlade to the poet Jean Ott.

First edition, one of 120 numbered copies on Japan paper, the only deluxe copies.
Work illustrated with 20 illustrations.
Foxing to covers, pen gift inscription at head of half-title page, handsome interior condition.
Rare pamphlet.

First edition on ordinary paper.
Autograph inscription dated and signed by the author to Lucien Mettai: "... ces histoires de nos turbulents ancêtres les vikings. / Hommage d'un gars de la côte salée." ["... these stories of our turbulent ancestors the Vikings. / Tribute from a guy from the salt coast."]
Preface by Pierre Mac Orlan. Illustrated cover after a vignette by Gustave Alaux. A fold mark along the entire length of the front cover.

Edition printed in 145 numbered copies on Rives laid paper and illustrated with a frontispiece by Edouard Pignon as well as 9 original etchings by Walter Spitzer, of which 6 are on double page.
Two small tears without consequence to the slipcase. Handsome copy.

First edition, illustrated with 72 engravings (etchings), re-engraved after the originals. All plates, printed before lettering, have been annotated in pencil (author and title).
Publisher's binding. Special plate by Souze. Binding by Charles Magnier. Half red shagreen richly decorated; red percale boards stamped with a large decorative gilt plate on black ground. All edges gilt. White moiré endpapers. Upper joint slightly cracked at head. Some foxing on the first leaves and on the index.
Handsome copy

First edition.
Half mint green shagreen binding, spine slightly faded with four raised bands set with gilt dots decorated with fleurons and double gilt and black fillets, marbled paper boards, front cover with marginal discoloration mark along its full height, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, minor harmless scuffs to corners and edges.
Work illustrated with a portrait of Mathilde de Toscane as frontispiece.
Handsome interior condition.

New edition printed in a small number of copies and published by the Comité archéologique de Noyon.
A small tear, not serious, to foot of upper cover, A good copy.

First edition.
A very good copy.

Fifth edition statement. Edition illustrated with 19 chromolithographs and 400 wood engravings.
Publisher's binding in imitation of great Grolier-style bindings. Half dark green shagreen with shagreen-textured cloth boards. Corners slightly bumped. Very occasional light foxing.
The interest of this work manifests itself both through its erudition and its accessibility and readability (historical anecdotes...). We owe it to Paul Jacob, who was a great bibliophile, a writer and scholar, and the curator of the Arsenal library. If the entire series has become a great classic in the field, it is because it successfully combines the work of publisher, printer, bookbinder, historian, illustrators, and documentation, and few books have ultimately achieved this amalgamation that we owe to Firmin-Didot, at a time when books had become quite mediocre.

First edition, magnificently illustrated with 13 chromolithographs and 400 wood engravings in-text. Publisher's binding in its most luxurious version by Lenègre in half red shagreen richly decorated with a Souze plate, a plate also found on the red shagreen-textured percaline boards; binding evoking the rich Renaissance bindings of Grolier type. Gilt edges. Minor rubbing at foot. Very handsome copy, with some scattered foxing in the margins. The interest of the work manifests itself both through its erudition and its accessibility and readability (historical anecdotes...). We owe it to Paul Jacob, who was a great bibliophile, writer and scholar, and keeper of the Arsenal library. If the entire series has become a great classic in the field, it is because it successfully combines the work of publisher, printer, bookbinder, historian, illustrators, and documentation, and few books have ultimately achieved this amalgamation that we owe to Firmin-Didot, at a time when books had become quite mediocre. One will note the presence in the sciences of the study of alchemy and occult sciences, and a chapter on heraldry.

First edition.
Extracted from the Revue des deux mondes.
In loose sheets, under chemise.

First edition. Uncommon.
Half glacé calf with corners, 19th century, signed Petit succ de Simier. Raised spine decorated in compartments. Fillets on covers.
Etienne Barbazan (1694-1770) was a philologist specializing in medieval manuscripts, notably contributing to bringing forgotten texts back to memory and rehabilitating the Middle Ages in the field of research. L'ordene de chevalerie is a 13th-century text on the rules and ceremonies of chivalry, of which Barbazan would have had a manuscript in his hands. The work contains other 13th-century texts and a glossary.

First edition, extracted from the Revue des deux mondes. Rare.
In plain wrappers.

Reprint conforming to the first edition.
Delicious collection 'composed by a tavern regular who disguises himself as a beggar in the Vergne of Tours'.
Handsome and rare copy.

First edition. Rare. One copy at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France and one at Bristol in England, another in the catalogues of West Germany. A second edition appeared in 1675 with 2 new parts. 2 very handsome frontispieces
Later full vellum binding. 20th-century black title-label and endpapers. Light worming on the first 2 pages and the last 5. Scattered foxing.
Otto Aicher (1628-1705), Benedictine and professor, was an Austrian playwright, professor of rhetoric and grammarian, but also a historian. In this book he gathers epitaphs from all periods, notably of Roman emperors and kings, the whole constituting a theatre of death as epitaphs are like voices from beyond the grave, the epitaph being the last sign that the dead leave to posterity. Very interesting for measuring the relationship to death throughout history. Brunet I, 118.

First edition of the French translation established by Mm De Saur and de Saint-Geniès. Two lacks at foot of spine, otherwise handsome copy almost free of foxing presented in its original wrappers. Rare.

First edition. Spine cracked, small corner tear to front board, handsome interior condition.

First edition.
Work illustrated with 40 unpublished drawings by the author.
Engraving, modeling and decorative interpretations.
Front board detached, spine and boards slightly and marginally faded, otherwise a handsome copy.

First edition. Half black shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands decorated with gilt floral motifs, two light scratches to one joint, bookplate pasted to verso of front board. Handsome copy almost entirely free of foxing.

First edition.
Plain paper cover.

First edition.
Plain paper cover. Rare.

First edition.
Full bottle-green sheep binding, smooth spines decorated with gilt fillets showing minor rubbing to head and foot.
Work illustrated with 2 vignettes by T. Johannot engraved by Lenoir and Thompson.
Fresh interior despite some inevitable light foxing.

First collected edition printed in facsimile in 700 numbered copies on laid paper.
Fine copy complete with its chemise with flaps, the spine of which is lightly faded.

New edition.
Publisher's Bradel binding in full fir green cloth, smooth spine.
Handsome copy.

Second edition.
Small annotations and marginal reading marks in pen in the margins of some pages.
Illustrated booklet with 2 maps at the end.
Rare.

First edition printed in a small number of this offprint.
Brochure illustrated with 3 plates.
A small tear of no consequence at the foot of the spine, otherwise a handsome copy.
Rare brochure.

Rare first edition of this "Interesting collection of revolutionary studies written by the leaders of the democratic party under the July Monarchy" (Lacombe, 1190).
Half tan calf bindings, smooth spines richly decorated with gilt and blind tooling in arabesque motifs, gilt dentelles at head and foot, headcaps rubbed, one joint partly cracked, extensive foxing.
Volume I: La force révolutionnaire (introduction), by G. Cavaignac; Le Palais-Royal by Eug. Briffault; Une Emeute sous la Régence by Marie Aycard; Le théâtre considéré comme moyen révolutionnaire by Etienne Arago; Le mardi-gras de Diderot by Saint-Germain Leduc; Une séance du comité de surveillance de la commune by Fontan; Juillet 1830 - Une scène de grenier - Une scène de la Salpétrière by G. Cavaignac; Une émeute à Sainte-Pélagie, en 1831 by Raspail; Le drame dans la rue by Hippolyte Auger; Les Etudiants sous la Restauration by B. Pance; Le Luxembourg, en 1815, ou la dernière nuit du maréchal Ney by Maurice Alhoy; Philosophie de l'histoire by Ottavi; Un homme du peuple et un grand seigneur by H. Bonnias.
Volume II: La presse révolutionnaire by Armand Marrast; La Morgue après les trois jours by Jacques Arago; Les Parises, ou 52 ans avant Jésus-Christ by Henri Martin; Monsieur Aveline, ou les Révolutionnaires by Saint-Germain; La Nuit révolutionnaire by Louis Lurine; La Charbonnerie by Trélat; Après la Fronde by Hippolyte Fortoul; Le Parlement de Paris by B. Pance; Une nuit d'étudiant sous la Restauration by J.-T. Flottard. Notice sur Achille Roche by Trélat.
Volume III: Les Maillotins by Charles Ménetrier; Le Blessé de juillet by Auguste Luchet; Peste contre peste ou la France au seizième siècle by Altaroche; Les Funérailles révolutionnaires by Armand Marrast; Télémaque révolutionnaire by Félix Pyat; Massacres de la Saint-Barthélémy by Dufey (de l'Yonne); Les Bagaudes, ou la Gaule au troisième siècle by E. Duchâtelet.
Volume IV: Les sergents de La Rochelle by Saint-Germain Leduc; Paris pendant les fêtes de Noël en 1588 by Eugène Bordas; Les proscrits de la Restauration by Frédéric Degeorge; La ville sainte by J.P. Veyrat; Lettre sur l'état de siège by Cormenin; Le Champ-de-mai by Brucker; 5 et 6 octobre 1789, épisodes révolutionnaires by Barthélémy Hauréau; Une semaine de la cour des pairs en décembre 1830 by Eugène Briffault; Une émeute sous Mazarin, ou les barricades de 1648 by Laponneraye; Les hôpitaux by Caffe; Paris révolutionné by Louis Desnoyers.

First edition, one of 25 numbered copies on pur fil, the only deluxe copies.
Autograph signature of the author below the justification page.
Work illustrated with reproductions hors-texte.
Handsome copy complete with publisher's slip.

First edition.
A good copy.

First edition printed in 1500 numbered copies.
Publisher's full green skyvertex binding, smooth spine, olive paper endpapers and pastedowns.
Illustrated, handsome copy.

First edition printed in a small number of copies of this offprint from the bulletin of the Academy of Rouen.
Copy presented in plain temporary wrappers with small marginal tears and minimal losses, handwritten title on front cover.
Scattered foxing.

The first edition, published in a small number of copies, of this offprint from the Bulletin historique et philologique.
Spine and boards slightly and marginally sunned without significance, handsome interior condition.
Rare.

First edition of the translation and explanatory and historical notes by N.-R. Taranne. Half tawny sheep binding, rubbed, spine with five raised bands decorated with gilt fillets, one joint cracked at head and foot.

First edition.
A tear without lack to foot of a joint.

New edition.
Work presented in its original wrappers under plain grey cover.
A lack to the foot of the spine, a light dampstain on the first cover not affecting the body of the work.
Rare.

First edition.
Publisher's red cloth binding.
Rich iconography.
Handsome copy with the illustrated dust jacket.

The first edition published in a small number of copies.
Our copy is presented in plain wrappers, with manuscript annotation on the first cover.
Light worming to covers, handsome interior condition.

First edition on ordinary paper.
Publisher's full green boards, dust jacket (with some corner chips) preserved.
Work illustrated with a frontispiece and drawings taken from the Bayeux Tapestry, also decorated with a map.

The first edition, published in a small number of copies.
Rare pamphlet presented in plain temporary wrappers.

First edition printed in a small number of copies on laid paper of this offprint.
Brochure presented under soft temporary cover.
A small stain at the head of the last page of text, title written in pen on the first cover.
Rare.

First edition printed in a small number of copies on laid paper.
Spine sunned, boards marginally restored with small corner lacks, handsome interior free from foxing.

First edition published in a small number of copies on laid paper.
Minor foxing affecting almost exclusively the margins, otherwise a handsome copy.
Rare.

First edition printed in a small number of copies of this offprint.
Beautiful autograph inscription from Saint-Pierre to Countess Emmanuel de Lévis-Mirepoix.
Our copy is enriched with manuscript notes by the author at the foot of two pages providing clarifications to the dedicatee on the subject treated in this pamphlet.
Worming to boards.
Rare.

First edition published in a small number of copies on laid paper.
Spine and covers uniformly faded with minor lacks of no consequence, handsome interior condition.

The first edition published in a small number of copies of this offprint.
Autograph inscription from the author on the verso of the front cover to the distinguished Burgundian bibliophile Marcel Mayer.
Press cutting and bookseller's slip pasted below the inscription.
Covers marginally faded and unstitched, handsome interior condition.
Rare pamphlet.

First edition, one of 189 numbered copies on Arches paper, deluxe copies after 11 other Arches copies enriched with duplicate suites of illustrations.
Illustrations by Pierre Robiquet.
A small harmless tear at head of spine, otherwise a handsome copy.

First edition published in a small number of copies of this offprint.
Autograph inscription by the author on the front cover.
Covers slightly and marginally faded without significance, otherwise a handsome copy.

First edition published in a small number of copies.
Important historical study with legal purpose.
Very rare, spine split in three parts.

New edition.

Second edition. A very good copy.

First edition.
Handsome copy, despite the front cover being slightly and marginally sunned, complete with the folding plan depicting the danse macabre.

First edition of the French translation.
Autograph inscription from the translator, a very good copy.

Second printing. Two maps and seven full-page engravings at rear. Rare copy in plain wrappers.

First edition.
Half olive cloth binding with corners, smooth spine decorated with fleuron and double gilt fillet, date and number at foot, red shagreen title-label with minor scratches, contemporary binding.
Handsome interior condition.

First edition.
Illustrations.

First edition.
Tears with losses to covers, handsome interior condition.

New edition of this offprint from 'La revue de Champagne et de Brie' published with an introduction and notes by H. Jadart, one of 100 copies, the only issue.
Handsome and rare copy, slight marginal tears of no consequence to covers.

First edition of this offprint printed in a small number of copies.
Front cover marginally sunned with a small tear without loss.

First edition.
Full sheep binding in hazelnut, smooth spine showing traces of use decorated with gilt fillets and typographical motifs, some small scratches on the boards, gilt roulettes on the headcaps and edges, lower corners slightly bumped.
Interior foxing, ink gift inscription.

First edition of the critical study and literal translation, verse by verse, from the Saxon manuscript discovered in 1794 at the library of Bamberg Cathedral by Canon G. Gley.
Two tiny lacks at foot of spine and at head, otherwise handsome copy. Rare.

First edition on ordinary paper, false statement of 4th edition. Spine sunned, otherwise handsome copy.

First edition.
Autograph inscription by the author.
About those individuals of low condition called colliberti in the Middle Ages.

First edition.
Half black sheep binding, smooth spine decorated with quadruple gilt fillets, joints reattached at head and foot.
Study of the customs and habits of the early Christians, study of figured monuments, clothing and furniture.
Work illustrated with 270 engravings.
Some light foxing, otherwise handsome interior condition.

First edition published in a small number of copies of this offprint.
Occasional light foxing, rare.

First edition printed in a small number of copies on laid paper of this offprint.
Autograph inscription from the author on the front board, handsome copy.

The first edition, published in a small number of copies of this offprint from the Bibliothèque de l'Ecole des Chartes.

First edition, one of 10 numbered copies on China paper, the deluxe issue with 10 on Japan.
Half chocolate shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands showing traces of rubbing, date at foot, one joint rubbed at head and foot, upper corners slightly bumped.
Some inevitable light foxing, a small marginal tear without loss to page 195, otherwise handsome interior condition.
Rare.

First edition.
Handsome copy free from foxing presented in its original wrappers.