[MASSON, Jean]. Histoire memorable de la vie de Jeanne d’Arc appellee la Pucelle d’Orleans. Extraicte des Interrogatoires & responses à iceux, contenus au procés de sa condamnation : & des depositions de 112 tesmoins ouys pour sa justification en vertu des Bulles du Pape Calixte III en l’an 1455. Paris, Pierre Chevalier, 1612.
Small 8vo [166 x 103 mm] of 1 full-page engraved portrait, (14) ll., 144 pp. Full limp vellum, flat spine. Contemporary binding.
First and unique edition of this fascinating biography of Joan of Arc. Graesse, Trésor de livres rares, IV, 440; Brunet, 1522.
The author indicates that he consulted all the documents of the trial that were located among others at the Library of the Abbey of St. Victor, Paris.
“This story is divided into 177 small chapters. It encloses everything we know and everything we have known about this girl, by its interrogations as well as the statement of witnesses. It starts with her birth, & ends with the absolution sentence given in Rouen on July 7th, 1456, by the Judges delegated by the Pope.”
“The text is preceded with a Dedication to the King, signed J. Masson, Archdeacon of Bayeux; with another Dedication to the mayor, municipal magistrates and bourgeois from Orléans, dated May 26th 1612; with an Notice to the reader dated February 20th 1612. This story of Joan of Arc, taken from the official documents, contains many very accurate details. It must have had a lot of success when Jean Masson published it; it is today a rare and still very peculiar book.” (Techener, Bibliothèque Champenoise, n°1435)
Jean Masson was first archdeacon of Bayeux, and then succeeded his brother to the place of auditor of the chancellery. He was later appointed King’s chaplain, and died in 1630 very advanced in years.
Attractive copy to which has been added a very beautiful portrait of Joan of Arc engraved by Adam.
A precious copy of this historical work of the highest interest, preserved in its first contemporary limp vellum binding.
Location of the copies in France: Amiens, Rouen, Aix-en-Provence, B.n.F.
Provenance: Antoine Beauverie’s ex libris.
