Le Premier (-quinzieme) livre d'Amadis de Gaule Mis en François par le Seigneur des Essars Nicolas de Herberay
Antwerp: Guillaume Silvius / J. Waesberghe / Henry Hendricx, 1573.
Early Edition. Hardcover (Full Leather). Near Fine Condition. Item #049353
15 volumes bound in 6 in ca. mid 18th century green parchment with lovely Dutch gilt endpapers. A little discoloration and surface damage to books V and VI, a few bindings slightly sprung, hinges cracked on a few volumes, but bindings all quite sound. Just a about fine internally, a few minor paper flaws, marginal tears, minor discoloration, browning. The title page to book four supplied in fine facsimile on old laid paper. Engravings at chapter headings throughout, some of which are copies of the Parisian editions but many of which are original depictions of ships, knights, landscapes, etc. (8), 235pp; (4), 139pp; (4),m 151pp; (4), 74 leaves; (8), 159pp; (8), 272pp; (8), 158pp; (8), 249, (12)pp; (8), 285pp; (8), 189pp;(8), 219pp; (8), 355, (6)pp; (8), 159, (4)pp; (4), 107, (1) leaves; (2), 82 leaves. Books 1-13 Antwerp, G. Sylvius 1573; Book 14, Antwerp Waesberghe, 1574; Book 15, Antwerp, Heyndricx, 1577.
A complete set of the 15 books. In 1561 Plantin published, with Jean Waesberghe, the first 12 books. In 1572-73 this was reissued along with the thirteenth book by Sylvius. The 14th and fifteenth books appeared in 1574 and 1577, the same years as the first French editions. This was the set purchased (according to a note on the first blank) by the great bookman Richard Heber in 1808 at Scotland Yard. His manuscript note reads "Complete in 15 books being all that appeared in 4to, a most beautiful copy." Extremely rare -- the only complete copy that I can find mention of is in Brunet and is this set purchased in the Heber sale in 1841. The books are translated by Herberay, Gohorry, Aubert and Tyron.
Brunet I 216 (this copy), Heber sale IX, 142. Losada-Goya 33-34.
Provenance: Richard Heber (note)
William Horatio Crawford (bookplate)
Albert Natural (bookplate)
Kenneth Rapoport (ex-libris)
A lovely and surpassingly rare complete set with terrific provenance. Walter Scott called Heber's library "superior to all others in the world". His library, estimated by Dibdin at well over 100,000 volumes, took 216 days to disperse at auction. Size: Quarto (4to). 15-volume set (complete). Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: Literature & Literary; Inventory No: 049353.
Price: $20,000.00