RONSARD (Pierre de).

Lot 125
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Estimation :
40000 - 50000 EUR
RONSARD (Pierre de).
Ɵ The first four books of the Odes. Paris, Veuve Maurice de La Porte, 1555. - Le Cinqieme des Odes [sic]. Paris, Veuve Maurice de La Porte, 1553. 2 works in one volume in-8, white calf, framed with three gilt fillets, in the center standing out on a semé of gilt flowers, large oval cartouche with interlacing decoration, motifs in spandrels, traces of ties, spine decorated, gilt edges, modern tan calf folder and box (Binding of the time). A very precious volume containing all five books of the Odes collection, preserved in a sumptuous 16th century gilt calf binding. Exceptional condition for old editions of French poetry, and especially those of the prince of French poets. The volume was put together by an amateur of the time who collected the following editions: - Les Quatre premiers livres des Odes, 1555. Third edition, containing 21 new pieces. The famous odelette à Cassandre Mignonne, allon voir si la rose..., first published as an appendix in the 1553 edition of Les Amours, is placed here in a prominent position by Ronsard who inserted it in the first book, becoming ode XV. According to J. P. Barbier-Mueller, this is a copy of the intermediate state between the two editions reported by Pereire: the collector has carefully described it and renamed it state b. - Le Cinquième livre des Odes, 1553. Second edition, the first published separately, of the fifth and last book of the collection of the Odes which had appeared after the Amours of 1552. It contains 9 new pieces. Copy of the 4th state, described by J. P. Barbier-Mueller who calls it state d. This fifth book opens with the Harangue que fait le Duc de Guise aus soudars de Mez, le iour qu'il pensoit avoir l'assaut, pièce d'exhortation militaire des plus éloquentes et des plus enflammées (cf. cat. Berès, Des Valois à Henri IV, n°298) Old handwritten bookplate on the title of the first work: Thomas Mayne. From the library of Michel de Bry (1966, n°185). Copies with large margins and ruled. The binding is superb, although it has lost some of its luster: it is distinguished by the magnificent and large cartouche with interlacing decoration stamped on its boards which gives it a supreme elegance. Binding very rubbed, with a small restoration at the corners and the upper cover, the upper hinge being cracked on the height of two boxes. J. P. Barbier-Mueller, II-1, n°17 and n°13. - N. Ducimetière, Mignonne..., p. 38, binding reproduced. - Diane Barbier-Mueller, Inventaire..., n°686 and 681.
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