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History of the Old & New Testament, in French, published in 1766, profusely illustrated with numerous small copper engravings. From the Browne family Library at Westport House (see below). With Full title (in original French): "l'Histoire du Vieux et du Nouveau Testament, Avec des Explications Edifiantes, Tirees des Saints Peres, Pour Regler les Moeurs dans Toutes Sortes de Conditions, Dediee a Monseigneur le Dauphin. Par le Sieur de Royaumont, Prieur de Sombreval". The History of the Old & New Testament, with Edifying Explanations Drawn from the Holy Fathers, to Adjust the Manners in all Kinds of Conditions, was first published in 1670, is known as the Royaumont Bible, & variously attributed to both Nicholas Fontaine & Lemaître de Sacy. TEXT in FRENCH. Includes engraved frontispiece (extra-illustrated title page), title page small vignette, plus hundreds of copperplate ENGRAVINGS throughout. Almost every second page contains a small engraving. A total of 267 in-text engravings (183 for the Old Testament, & 84 for the New Testament) (in addition to frontispiece & title page). Also with numerous tailpieces. With Abrege de la Chronologie Sainte (with tables) printed at rear. "Sieur de Royaumont" was used as a pseudonym by both Nicholas Fontaine & Isaac-Louis Lemaître de Sacy. Nicholas Fontaine (or Nicolas) (1625-1709) was a Jansenite, of the Port-Royal movement that strove to purify Catholicism. Fontaine was confined to the Bastille, where he apparently composed this work, under the pseudonym Sieur de Royaumont. Though Fontaine was a Greek scholar of some standing, his version of the bible was written in a popular style, blending a modified text with interpretations. Isaac-Louis Lemaître de Sacy (1613-1684), a priest of Port-Royal, was a theologian & French humanist. He is best known for his translation of the most widespread French Bible in the 18th century, also known as the Bible de Port-Royal. Fontaine & Lemaître de Sacy were imprisoned in the Bastille together in the 1660s. They possibly collaborated on this work. NOTE: Interestingly, this copy from the Browne family Library of WESTPORT HOUSE, with original printed armorial BOOKPLATE affixed to front pastedown. The elaborately illustrated bookplate shows the Browne family crest & coat-of-arms with "Westport House" printed below & French motto "Suivez Raison" incorporated into the design. "Westport House in Westport, County Mayo, Ireland, was the ancestral seat of the Marquesses of Sligo up until July 2014. It was built by the Browne family in the 18th Century, near the site of an O'Malley castle. The story of Westport House & the Browne family is a microcosm for the wider &, at times, turbulent history of Ireland. Each generation has had to contend with & adapt to the prevailing social, political & religious changes encountered along the way. Westport House is one of the few remaining Irish historic homes of national & international significance still in the ownership of the original family. Today it is considered one of Ireland's most beautiful historic homes open to the public." This book is possibly from the Christie's London auction which took place 27-28 June 1955, titled "Valuable Printed Books from the Library of the Most Honourable the Marquess of Sligo Removed from Westport House". Small thick volume. Laid paper. Bound in full leather (tree calf), raised bands, gilt lettering & floral design in compartments to spine, marbled endpapers, all edges of book block stained red, green silk ribbon page marker. Slight handling wear, front hinge a little loose, a few small marginal tears (no text loss), some mild offsetting from engravings, otherwise a nice clean tight solid leatherbound copy. All engravings in bright fine condition. Full pagination as follows: endpaper, frontispiece, title page, 2pp (dedication), 5pp (avertissement), 4pp (table), 1pp (preface), 576pp. Page 471 misprinted "437". Unique copy from Westport House. RARE. Seller Inventory # 001420
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