Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1670.
Folio (4) ll., 8 pp. of text, 11 engravings on 7 double-page, numbered pp. 17 to 67 including for most part a large etching, 9 plates of mottos bound between ll. 29 and 30, between 35 and 36, 37 and 38, 43 and 44, 45 and 46, 51 and 52, 53 and 54, 60 and 61, 62 and 63, (1) l., pp. 65 to 104. A second version of plate 58 was added at the beginning of the volume, hand-colored at the time and illuminated. Many head-pieces, vignettes, initials. 4 browned ll. A handwritten table of illustrations by a contemporary hand is attached to the volume. Complete.
Red morocco, double framing of triple gilt fillet, gilt-stamped coat of arms in the center, crowned monogram in the corners, ribbed spine decorated with fleur-de-lis and crowned monograms in the panels, gilt edges. Contemporay binding.
560 x 410 mm.
The most beautiful festival book from the first years of King Louis XIV’s reign.
Brunet, II, 337.
The work is illustrated with 96 prints engraved by Chaveau and Israël Silvestre and includes a text written by Charles Perrault, with a poem in verses written in Latin by Flechier: 30 etchings by Chaveau representing horsemen of the five quadrilles and the carapisons of their horses, 8 oblong etchings on four double-pages, 55 etchings representing emblems and mottos, 3 double etchings by Israël Silvestre.
The work is part of the collection of the Cabinet du Roy.
This collection contains volumes of prints made by order of King Louis XIV and published first separately, in different sizes, with printed explanations.
The copies published separately before the making of this collection have the advantage of presenting the first proofs of the plates.
The courses de testes et de bagues, here in the first issue, represent the feasts given at the Tuileries on the occasion of the birth of the Dauphin: five quadrilles in sumptuous costumes performed equestrian figures during three days. The King is here represented in a Roman outfit.
(Histoire de l’édition française. Le Livre triomphant, planche 12).
The origin of this celebration, and after of this book, might be the realization of a childhood’s dream.
Very beautiful copy in an armorial contemporary red morocco binding bearing the arms and crowned monogram of King Louis XIV.
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