(1543). CORROZET (Gilles). HECATONGRAPHIE. C'est-à-dire... Lot 204

(1543). [CORROZET (Gilles). HECATONGRAPHIE. C'est-à-dire les descriptions de cent figures & hystoires, contenants plusieurs appophthegmes, proverbes, sentences et dictz tant des anciens, que des modernes. Le tout revu par son autheur. Paris, Denys Janot, 1543. In-12, 104 uncounted leaves, garnet Jansenist morocco, ribbed spine, gilt inner lace, gilt edges (Chambolle-Duru). ONE OF THE MOST RAVISHING ILLUSTRATED BOOKS OF THE 17TH CENTURY. It is adorned with 100 fine line engravings, veritable masterpieces, attributed to Jean Cousin by Viollet le Duc. According to Fairfax Murray (II, 640), they are probably by an artist with the monogram F. working for Denis Janot... The plates are composed of an engraving and a text, all framed with arabesques in Renaissance style; opposite these illustrations is an explanatory text in verse by Gilles Corrozet. The latter "written in a simple and easy style, make the Hécatongraphie one of the best, if not the best work of its kind" (Picot). Third edition, which according to Brunet is more beautiful than the first of 1540. Washed copy with large margins. (USTC 9801) (Rothschild n°640).