Fine Books & Manuscripts

COMINES, Philippe de (1447–1511). The Historie of Philip de Commines Knight, Lord of Argenton. London: A. Hatfield for I. Norton, 1601. Small folio (279 x 191 mm). Translated by Thomas Danett (1543–1601). Historiated woodcut title with bootstrap framing bearing the royal arms and motto of Burghley, and the printer’s beehive device, several large initial woodcut capitals and tailpieces throughout, 17 pp. genealogical table at rear. Full 19th century calf ruled in blind with gilt ornament cornerpieces, raised bands, two black leather spine labels with gilt titles, gilt centerpieces in compartments, all edges dyed red, marbled endpapers (joints a trifle bit tired, tiny wormhole to A1–Q3; repaired at H1–N6 with browning to area, bookseller’s ticket to foot of front pastedown). Provenance: Charles Shaw–Lefevre, 1st Viscount Eversley (bookplate). Second edition in English of a primary source for 15th century European history from “the first critical and philosophical historian since classical times.” (Oxford Companion to English Literature). STC 5603. From the private library of a prominent Chicago collector, part II.