![MERLIN -- Sensuyt le premier (et le second) volume de Merlin, quie est le premier livre de la Table ronde (avec les Prophecies de Merlin qui est la tierce partie). Paris: [Philippe Le Noir], 24 December 1528.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2005/CKS/2005_CKS_07046_0162_000(101601).jpg?w=1)
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MERLIN -- Sensuyt le premier (et le second) volume de Merlin, quie est le premier livre de la Table ronde (avec les Prophecies de Merlin qui est la tierce partie). Paris: [Philippe Le Noir], 24 December 1528.
3 volumes, 4° (177 x 127mm). Title-pages of vols. II-III and table explicit in vol. III printed in red and black, woodcut historiated title border in all volumes, full-page presentation woodcut in vol. II, woodcut historiated, criblé and other initials. (First 4 leaves, containing the title and table, of vol. I in facsimile, neat repairs in title of vol. II, repaired marginal wormhole, some damage at upper corners affecting a few letters, two small wormholes at beginning of vol. I.) Uniform late 19th-century red morocco gilt, vols. I-II by Gottermayer, Budapest, vol. III by Niedrée, edges marbled and gilt. Provenance: [sale Sotheby's, 23 March 1905, lot 738 (describing vol. II title as also facsimile), £5 to Ellis] -- Thomas Edward Watson (bookplate; by descent to the present owners).
Fifth edition (sixth of the Prophecies), following the first two printed by Verard in 1498/1503, and two others at Paris in 1505 and 1526. All early editions of the French Merlin story are rare; the last to appear at auction (Verard: 1498-1503) was in 1979. The story of the magician and prophet Merlin developed into the anonymous French romance cycle in the mid-12th century. It was first joined to the Arthurian legend, in which Merlin is credited with King Arthur's birth, coronation, victories and founding the Round Table, by Robert de Borron. Brunet III, 1655; Renouard Chrono. III, 1567. (3)
3 volumes, 4° (177 x 127mm). Title-pages of vols. II-III and table explicit in vol. III printed in red and black, woodcut historiated title border in all volumes, full-page presentation woodcut in vol. II, woodcut historiated, criblé and other initials. (First 4 leaves, containing the title and table, of vol. I in facsimile, neat repairs in title of vol. II, repaired marginal wormhole, some damage at upper corners affecting a few letters, two small wormholes at beginning of vol. I.) Uniform late 19th-century red morocco gilt, vols. I-II by Gottermayer, Budapest, vol. III by Niedrée, edges marbled and gilt. Provenance: [sale Sotheby's, 23 March 1905, lot 738 (describing vol. II title as also facsimile), £5 to Ellis] -- Thomas Edward Watson (bookplate; by descent to the present owners).
Fifth edition (sixth of the Prophecies), following the first two printed by Verard in 1498/1503, and two others at Paris in 1505 and 1526. All early editions of the French Merlin story are rare; the last to appear at auction (Verard: 1498-1503) was in 1979. The story of the magician and prophet Merlin developed into the anonymous French romance cycle in the mid-12th century. It was first joined to the Arthurian legend, in which Merlin is credited with King Arthur's birth, coronation, victories and founding the Round Table, by Robert de Borron. Brunet III, 1655; Renouard Chrono. III, 1567. (3)
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