LESGRET, Nicolas [l’Aïné]. Le Nouveau livre d’Ecritures Italiene Bâtarde. Avec des Instructions Touchant les Preceptes qu’il faut observer pour bien Ecrire…

First edition of one of the rarest French book of the 17^th century.

This treatise about the writing art is Lesgret the Elder’s work, secretary in ordinary to the King, appointed by his Majesty to the position of master of writing of the Royal Academy.

It is decorated with 17 full-page engraved etchings including the very fine “véritable manière de tenir la plume pour bin et facilement écrire”.

The 7 page text is composed of the “Instructions familières Touchant les préceptes généraux qu’il faut observer pour bien écrire” divided into five chapters: “De la situation du corps, du choix de la plume, de la taille de la plume, de la situation de la plume, des différents mouvements de la main.”

Then the cursive writing models follow, called after “Bâtarde”.

This book is so rare that it is recorded in only one institution: the Médiathèque municipal Jean Lévy, Lille, France.

Fine copy coming from an interesting French collection with stamped ex-libris on the title page.