Gregorie Leti (1 results)

Leather. Condition: Very Good Indeed. Not Stated (illustrator). First edition. The first edition in French of Gregorio Leti's immensely important biography on Queen Elizabeth I, the first to be published, lavishly illustrated with portraits throughout each volume. The first edition in French of this scarce work, very scarce to see an edition as early as this in any language.This biography was the first ever proper life of Elizabeth I published, originally published in Italian in 1682, 89 after the Queen's death.Written by Gregorio Leti, who embellished his life of Elizabeth with romantic tales of her youth and brief time with her mother, Anne Boleyn. Leti looks at Elizabeth's life and long reign through a sympathetic reign, using documents he found in English archives.'La Vie d'Elizabeth Reine d'Angleterre' was a large success, going through many editions in Italian, French, Dutch, Russian, and German. Leti's work helped to shape the European view of Elizabeth after her death.Volume I illustrated with a frontispiece, and thirty-two plates.Volume II illustrated with a frontispiece, two folding plates, and fourteen plates.Register runs as: Volume I: *12, A-Y12, Z6. Volume II: [1], A-Z12, Aa10.Collated, complete.Bookplate of Franz Pollack Parnau to the front paste downs. In a full calf binding. Externally, generally smart. Minor bumping to the head and tail of the spine and to the extremities. Front joints are a little cracked, small crack to the head of the rear joint of Volume II. Small patch of leather lifting to the tail of the rear joint of Volume I. A few light marks to the boards and spines, and a little rubbing, resulting in a very small loss of leather to the front board of Volume II. Front hinge of Volume II is starting but firm. Bookplate to the front paste downs. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very lightly age-toned and clean, with only the occasional spot or handling mark. Prior owner's ink inscription to the head of the title pages. Very Good Indeed. book.