Philippe de COMMINES. Cronique & hystoire...... Lot 31

[Philippe de COMMINES]. Cronique & hystoire... contenant les choses advenues durant le regne du Roy Loys Unziesme tant en France Bourgõgne Flandres Arthois Angleterre que Espaigne et lieux circonvoisins. Nouvellemenr reveue et corrigee Avec plusieurs notables mis en marge... - Philippe de COMMINES. Croniques du Roy Charles huytiesme de ce nõ que Dieu absoille cõtenãt la Verite des faictz et gestes dignes de mémoire dudict seigneur quil feist en son voiage de Naples et de la conqueste dudit royaulme de Naples ｸ pays adiacens Et de son triumphãt et Victorieux retour en son royaume de Frãce... Paris et Poitiers, Enguillebert de Marnef, September 25, 1528. 2 works in one in-folio volume, taupe morocco, fine four-lobed framing formed by a gilt fillet set with two cold fillets with corner fleurons, in the center a large gilt diamond motif in small irons, spine with 6 ornate nerves, interior lace, gilt edges ( Capé). Bechtel, 159/C-446 / 160/C-454 // Brunet, II-189-190 // Tchemerzine-Scheler, II-452-455 // USTC, 39054 and 8405. I. (4f.)-CVI / A4, B-S6, T4 / II. II. (4f.)-LX / aa4, A-K6 / 44 and 43 long lines, gothic car / 176 x 261 mm. Third edition of the Cronique et histoire... de Loys Unziesme and first edition of the Chroniques du Roy Charles huytiesme. Philippe de Commines, a great statesman under Louis XI, wrote his memoirs in two parts. The first, which he wrote between 1490 and 1493, is entirely devoted to political life under Louis XI, and comprises books I to VI. Books VII and VIII, which he wrote between 1495 and 1498, are devoted to the first expedition to Italy, where he followed King Charles VIII and courageously fought alongside him at the battle of Fornoue. His memoirs end with the king's death in 1498. His chronicles met with immediate success because they are impartial, accurate information from an eyewitness the precise information of an eyewitness [and that] his concern his concern to explain reality also led him to work as a moralist and politician, making frequent use of digression, giving a pessimistic portrait of princes and men, and, before Machiavelli, laying down the rules of political success ( En français dans le texte, no. 38). The first six books were published in two editions in 1524, on April 26 and September 7, followed by three editions in 1525, one in January, one on February 15 and the present one on September 11. In fact, the latter must be regarded as the true third edition, as the year at the time began in March, with January and February following September. It was only thirty years later, following an edict by Charles IX in 1562, that the year began on January 1st. The illustrations include, for the first volume, a title frame similar to that of the original 1524 edition, the same figure on the verso depicting the arms of France supported by two angels, and the printer's mark on the last leaf; for the second volume, a large, handsomely illustrated title in architectural style depicting agricultural or hunting scenes, with the printer's mark, a large woodcut on leaf aa4 and 7 woodcuts in the text, one of which is repeated, as well as lettering. Beautifully bound, ruled copy by Capé. Minor but not serious rubbing to binding. Title of first volume slightly cut at top.