The rare first edition, illustrated with a handsome frontispiece by Van der Laan and engraved by Bernart. Title pages printed in red and black. Attribution to Bruys is sometimes contested by bibliographers. Two letters defending the work against criticism can be found in volumes I and III.
Contemporary mottled sheep binding. Richly decorated raised spine. Red morocco title labels, brown morocco volume labels. Head of volume I partly lacking, volumes III and IV torn away, same at tail of volume IV. Worming to boards, quite present on the boards of volume IV. Joints of volume IV cracked. Despite the defects, spines in good appearance.
The work became a constantly exploited reference on the history of the popes. The book was condemned at the time by both Catholics and Protestants. Even if according to Brunet it contains inaccuracies, which is quite normal in a work of such scope, we must praise today what was once severely criticized, even by Brunet who considered that the book was written as a charge against Rome. The work is eminently critical and in no way seeks to make an apology for the papacy, the author acting as a historian, and drawing contrasted portraits, noting as many faults as qualities, and always relating the life of the pope to history.
First edition.
Bradel bindings in full apple-green boards, smooth spines slightly browned and decorated with gilt fillets, traces of rubbing to headcaps, corners slightly bumped, some tears to leading edges, contemporary bindings.
Some foxing.
First edition.
Full marbled blonde calf binding. Smooth spine decorated with 4 acorn tools in compartments. One corner slightly bumped. Lacks at head of upper joint due to worming, same at foot, but over 4cm. Traces of rubbing. Good copy.
In the form of conversations, Mably details the necessary milestones for writing history and the goals it must set; The author posing the reader's interest as fundamental data for any successful historical work.
New edition.
Half cherry red morocco with corners, spine with five raised bands, gilt date at foot, slight scuffing to spine without gravity, some minor surface wear to the marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, top edge gilt, binding signed by Canape-Belz.
Some light foxing without gravity.
Rare.
