Le Théâtre d'honneur et de magnificence préparé au sacre des rois

New revised and expanded edition, with only one copy recorded in OCLC (Bibliothèque universitaire, Toulouse).

Title vignette featuring the printer’s mark with a golden griffin, numerous decorative initials and woodcut headpieces throughout.

Full limp vellum binding, spine titled in manuscript, a few minor scuffs and stains to covers, traces of former ties, upper portion of th spine-end damaged.

A handsome copy of this authoritative work on the coronation ceremony of the Kings of France by Guillaume Marlot, Grand Prior of the Abbey of Saint-Nicaise in Reims and historian of the city.

Includes a detailed description of the famed Holy Ampulla used in the anointing of the Kings of France: ""It appears that this vial is made of glass or crystal, and because it is filled with a tanned-colored liquid, it is not very transparent to the eye; its size is that of a medium fig; its neck is whitish because it is empty; its stopper is of red taffeta; and if one brings it to the nose, it smells distinctly of the most exquisite balm…"
Marlot also discusses coronation rites in Europe, as well as in China, Persia, Turkey, Russia, and even the kingdom of Cusco in the West Indies.

A significant publication printed in Reims, where the majority of French royal coronations were held.

Provenance: Lacourt (manuscript ex-libris); A. J. Coquebert (stamp on the title page).