Abregè Chronologique, ou Extraict de L'Histoire de France (Complete in 4 volumes)
NP, n/d. Hardcover. Volumes 1-3. Mèzeray, Francois Eudes de. Abregè chronologique, ou Extrait de I'histoire de France. Paris. 1668. Louis Billaine. Tome I: Commencant a Faramond, & finissant a la fin du Regne Charles le bel. [8],528,[34]pp. Tome II: Commencant au Roy Philippe de Valois, & finissant a la fin du Regne de Henry II. [2],529-985,[28]pp. Tome III: Commencant au Roy Francois II., & finissant a la fin du Regne de Henry IV. [4],987-1489,[36]pp. Rare first edition of Mèzeray's early work on the history of France. Includes biographies of the French kings. Title-pages with small engraving. Illustrated with 58 in-text portrait engravings. 4 empyt frames for first kings in Vol. 1, as issued. Head and tailpieces, decorative initials. Indexes.
Vol. IV: Limiers, Henri Philippe de. Abregè Chronologique, ou Extraict de L'Histoire de France, sous les règnes de Louis XIII & Louis XIV; por servir de suite a celui de Francois de Mèzeray. Nouvelle Edition, Augmentèe de la vie de Mèzeray. Amsterdam. 1728. Chez David Mortier. 600pp. Marbled endpapers. Title-page vignette. This volume was written 45 years after Mèzeray's death. It is the continuation of the first 3 volumes and covers the reigns of King Louis XIII and Louis XIV. Includes a biography of Mèzeray. Index.
Francois Eudes de Mèzeray (1610-1683) was a French historian who was given the title of "Historiographer to the King of France," however, his critisism of French kings for over-taxing their subjects led to the loss of his title and pension. This, his most famous work, went through fifteen editions between 1668 and 1717.
4to. All volumes bound in matching contemporary calf with gold decorated spine and title-label. Raised bands. Boards with all gold-tooled edges. Vol. 4 is one-inch smaller than volumes 1-3, with matching binding. Age wear, abrasions and surface hairline cracks on binding. Gold lettering on spine faded. Head and tail of spines chipped. Typewritten summary by previous owner pasted on insides of front boards in Vol. 1 and 4. Split on parts of joints on front and back board of all volumes, firmly holding. Title-page in Vol. I tipped-in and repaired along gutter, "L'hotel Dieu D'abbeville" handwritten on half-title of all volumes. Worming from page 945 through rear in Vol. 4 expertly repaired. Bottom edges from front endpaper through page 1999 in Vol. 3 expertly repaired, staining near bottom edge on first 3 leafs of same volume. "Robert Florey a Paris" in pencil on inside of front board in Vol. 3. Minor staining, creasing and rippling to some pages in all volumes. Very few leafs chipped on edges. Text in French. Besides faults mentioned, in overall good to very good condition. Rare as a complete set. `. Item #22941
Price: $1,250.00