MENESTRIER (Cl.-Fr.). Histoire du Roy Louis le Grand pour le - Lot 18

MENESTRIER (Cl.-Fr.). Histoire du Roy Louis le Grand pour les médailles, emblèmes, devises, jettons, inscriptions, armoiries... À Paris, I.B. Nolin, 1689, in-folio, red morocco, Du Seuil-style framing around the boards, ornate ribbed spine, gilt edges (period binding). Collation: 1 title page, 1 page of dedication "Aux Augustes enfans de France... fils de Louis Dauphin de France petit-fils de Louis le Grand", 1 second page of dedication with a sonnet and portrait of Louis XIV, 45 plates of medals, mottoes, emblems... ch. 4 to 48, 1 double plate "Veüe de la place des Victoires..." ch. 50, 12 plates mainly of coats of arms ch. 50 to 61, 1 f. "Avertissement / Extrait du privilège du Roy..." ch. 62. First printing. The work is entirely engraved, with 62 plates, some of which are after Le Brun and Mignard. The medals were taken from the cabinet of P. de La Chaise, Louis XIV's confessor. L'Histoire du Roy Louis le Grand represents the culmination of the work of emblemist P. Menestrier (1631-1705), a Jesuit renowned for his knowledge and creativity, and imbued with the culture of the Louis XIV monarchy. A fine copy, very well preserved inside. Corners worn, some spotting, second cover discreetly stained. Size : 375 x 265 mm. Provenance: handwritten bookplate dated 1690, Charles-Léonor Aubry, conseiller au Parlement de Paris aux séquestres. Landwehr, 518; Backer (de) & Sommervogel, V, 932, 113 (listing only 61 plates); Allut, CIV.