![PLUVINEL, Antoine (1555-1620). L'Instruction du Roy en l'exercice de monter a cheval. [Also: Reitkunst.] Frankfurt: Erasmus Kempffern and Matthias Merian, 1628. 2° (315 x 200mm). Engraved additional title, portrait frontispiece and 57 engraved plates by Merian after Crispian de Pas, engraved vignette on dedication leaf. (Without half-title perhaps as issued, some browning and offsetting but this mainly in the text, light dampstain in the margins and small ink spot in the margins of the last few leaves, the plates with some scattered spotting and light mostly marginal soiling, a few small repairs in the margins.) Contemporary mottled calf, flat spine gilt all over with a herringbone pattern, green morocco label, gilt edges (expert repairs at spine ends, light wear). Provenance: armorial bookplate and early inscription on the front endpapers.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2012/CSK/2012_CSK_04354_0216_000(pluvinel_antoine_linstruction_du_roy_en_lexercice_de_monter_a_cheval_a115016).jpg?w=1)
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PLUVINEL, Antoine (1555-1620). L'Instruction du Roy en l'exercice de monter a cheval. [Also: Reitkunst.] Frankfurt: Erasmus Kempffern and Matthias Merian, 1628. 2° (315 x 200mm). Engraved additional title, portrait frontispiece and 57 engraved plates by Merian after Crispian de Pas, engraved vignette on dedication leaf. (Without half-title perhaps as issued, some browning and offsetting but this mainly in the text, light dampstain in the margins and small ink spot in the margins of the last few leaves, the plates with some scattered spotting and light mostly marginal soiling, a few small repairs in the margins.) Contemporary mottled calf, flat spine gilt all over with a herringbone pattern, green morocco label, gilt edges (expert repairs at spine ends, light wear). Provenance: armorial bookplate and early inscription on the front endpapers.
THE FIRST EDITION WITH THE PLATES BY MERIAN, copying the plates by Crispian de Pas in the original edition of 1623; 'these are as beautiful as the originals' (Brunet). Merian disposed of the heavy architectural borders, and transformed the setting of the scenes, with the subjects now in various landscapes and views of Paris (Mennessier de la Lance). Pluvinel went in his adolescence to Italy where he frequented the most illustrious academies and was regarded as the finest riding master of his day. He was eventually brought back to France by the Master of Horse of Charles IX and served him and his brother Henri III who showered him with honours. Brunet IV, 749; Mennessier de la Lance II, pp.330-31; Nissen, ZBI, 3201.
THE FIRST EDITION WITH THE PLATES BY MERIAN, copying the plates by Crispian de Pas in the original edition of 1623; 'these are as beautiful as the originals' (Brunet). Merian disposed of the heavy architectural borders, and transformed the setting of the scenes, with the subjects now in various landscapes and views of Paris (Mennessier de la Lance). Pluvinel went in his adolescence to Italy where he frequented the most illustrious academies and was regarded as the finest riding master of his day. He was eventually brought back to France by the Master of Horse of Charles IX and served him and his brother Henri III who showered him with honours. Brunet IV, 749; Mennessier de la Lance II, pp.330-31; Nissen, ZBI, 3201.