![LA PERRIÈRE, Guillaume de (1499-1565). Le thëatre des bons engins, auquel sont contenuz cent emblemes moraulx. Paris: Denys Janot, [c.1544].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14998_0231_000(la_perriere_guillaume_de_le_theatre_des_bons_engins_auquel_sont_conten101642).jpg?w=1)
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LA PERRIÈRE, Guillaume de (1499-1565). Le thëatre des bons engins, auquel sont contenuz cent emblemes moraulx. Paris: Denys Janot, [c.1544].
La Perrière's celebrated first French emblem book, fourth edition retaining the "rigorous standardisation of spelling and more particularly punctuation" of the third (Saunders). The present issue was printed by Janot's widow after his death; the use of "Auecq' priuilege" on the title page is characteristic of her work. The woodcut illustrations depict fishing, chess playing, painting and tennis, as well as emblematic subjects such as hope, justice and vanity. Saunders F.368; see Landwehr 446-448; see Mortimer French 337 ("The blocks are well designed and cut, possibly by the artist of the Janot border"); see Praz p. 395.
Octavo (165 x 114mm). Title-page within architectural border with lines 3-8 in italic type; each right-hand page with 10-line verse text in woodcut frame; left-hand pages with 100 square woodcut emblems, each framed within decorative borders in four different designs: grotesques, cherubs and scrolling foliage; Janot's thistle device at O3v with author's motto in roman type, all within woodcut borders (without last blank O4, very light age-toning to a few pages). Late 18th-century dark green morocco gilt, spine gilt in six compartments, edges gilt (slight rubbing to top of spine). Provenance: Silvain Brunschwig (bookplate, acquired from Librairie Lardanchet, 1964) – Arthur and Charlotte Vershbow (bookplate).
La Perrière's celebrated first French emblem book, fourth edition retaining the "rigorous standardisation of spelling and more particularly punctuation" of the third (Saunders). The present issue was printed by Janot's widow after his death; the use of "Auecq' priuilege" on the title page is characteristic of her work. The woodcut illustrations depict fishing, chess playing, painting and tennis, as well as emblematic subjects such as hope, justice and vanity. Saunders F.368; see Landwehr 446-448; see Mortimer French 337 ("The blocks are well designed and cut, possibly by the artist of the Janot border"); see Praz p. 395.
Octavo (165 x 114mm). Title-page within architectural border with lines 3-8 in italic type; each right-hand page with 10-line verse text in woodcut frame; left-hand pages with 100 square woodcut emblems, each framed within decorative borders in four different designs: grotesques, cherubs and scrolling foliage; Janot's thistle device at O3v with author's motto in roman type, all within woodcut borders (without last blank O4, very light age-toning to a few pages). Late 18th-century dark green morocco gilt, spine gilt in six compartments, edges gilt (slight rubbing to top of spine). Provenance: Silvain Brunschwig (bookplate, acquired from Librairie Lardanchet, 1964) – Arthur and Charlotte Vershbow (bookplate).
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