DUPLESSIS-MORNAY Histoire de la Vie de Messire Philippes de Mornay Seigneur Du Plessis Marly, &c. Contenant Outre la Relation de plusieurs evenemens notables en l’Estat, en l’Eglise, és Cours, &és Armees, divers Advis Politiqs, Ecclesiastiqs & Militaires sur beaucoup de Mouvemens importans de l’Europe.

First edition of the biography of Henry IV’s famous minister, emblematic figure of Protestantism, close councilor to the King and one of the most remarkable men of his time. Willems, Elzevier, 619; Brunet, III, 1912.

The work has been written by David Licques after Mme de Mornay’s manuscript (Charlotte Arbaleste) and the notes of two minister’s secretaries.

The dedication epistle, signed by the Elzevier, is actually by Valentin Conrart, also Huguenot, whose literary reunions have given birth to the French Academy. It is in first edition as well.

Precious copy of the poet Saint-Amant, bearing on the title the mention in his own hand A Saint-Amant.

Brought up in the reformed faith, regular to Conrart’s circle, Saint Amant was close friend of Duplessis-Mornay’s grand-son, Philippe de Jaucourt, Baron de Villarnoul (the mother of the Baron de Villarnoul was the daughter of Duplessis-Mornay) the one he called “his tender half” and for whom he had written, the previous year, the Epistle to Monsieur le Baron de Villarnoul (1646): Quoy que le temps toute chose corrompe, Mon Villarnoul en mes vers brillera, Tant que la Terre, ou le Ciel tournera …