SCHEPPER (Cornelius de). - Lot 136

SCHEPPER (Cornelius de). Rerum a Carolo V Caesare Augusto in Africa bello gestarum commentarii. Antwerp, Jean Bellère, 1554. In-8, brown calf, double framed with fillets and cold fleurons (period binding). Very rare first edition of this collection of various texts relating to Charles V's expeditions to North Africa between 1535 and 1550. Illustrated with 3 woodcut views of the sieges of Tunis, Algiers and Le Kef, this edition is not cited by Gay or Playfair, who only mention the 1555 edition (Gay, no. 1376; Playfair, no. 13). The work was compiled from various accounts (Jean Bérot, Nicolas de Villegagnon and Cristobal de Estrella) by Cornelius de Schepper, a Flemish diplomat who served as Charles V's ambassador, notably to Suleiman the Magnificent in Constantinople. Copy in contemporary binding, complete with 3 maps. Spine rebound.