Lot 4
4
BALZAC, Jean-Louis Guez de. Le Prince. Nouvelle édition, Paris: Claude Sonnius, 1634, 8°, PRESENTATION COPY TO THE EARL OF EXETER, verso of front blank inscribed: "pour Monseigneur Le Comte D'Exeter Son tres humble et tres affectionné serviteur Balzac," a6, A-2P8, engraved portrait frontispiece (occasional old scoring in brown crayon, small burn hole to lower margin of F7, quire 2N and other end leaves dampstained), contemporary vellum (crinkled) with later crimson morocco lettering-piece.
BALZAC, Jean-Louis Guez de. Le Prince. Nouvelle édition, Paris: Claude Sonnius, 1634, 8°, PRESENTATION COPY TO THE EARL OF EXETER, verso of front blank inscribed: "pour Monseigneur Le Comte D'Exeter Son tres humble et tres affectionné serviteur Balzac," a6, A-2P8, engraved portrait frontispiece (occasional old scoring in brown crayon, small burn hole to lower margin of F7, quire 2N and other end leaves dampstained), contemporary vellum (crinkled) with later crimson morocco lettering-piece.

Details
BALZAC, Jean-Louis Guez de. Le Prince. Nouvelle édition, Paris: Claude Sonnius, 1634, 8°, PRESENTATION COPY TO THE EARL OF EXETER, verso of front blank inscribed: "pour Monseigneur Le Comte D'Exeter Son tres humble et tres affectionné serviteur Balzac," a6, A-2P8, engraved portrait frontispiece (occasional old scoring in brown crayon, small burn hole to lower margin of F7, quire 2N and other end leaves dampstained), contemporary vellum (crinkled) with later crimson morocco lettering-piece.
Provenance
Front blank with author's inscription to the Duke of Exeter (see illustration); early ownership inscriptions of J. G. Grey and Bertin; armorial bookplates of Thomas Jolley and Robert, Marquis of Crewe. Le Prince, known for its flattering portrait of Louis XIII, first appeared in 1631. A copy of the 1631 first edition, likewise inscribed by the author to the Earl of Exeter, was sold by Christie's on December 9, 1987, for £1000.

More from PRINTED BOOKS

View All
View All