AUBIGNÉ Théodore Agrippa d' (1552-1630). Lot n° 8

Les Tragiques. Donnez au public par le larcin de Promethee (Au dezert [Maillé, Jean Moussat], par L.B.D.D., 1616); small in-4 (200 x 142 mm), [16] ff. of which 2 blank-291 pp. [paginated 391] (pagination errors and page breaks without missing)-[3] ff. of which one blank. (Collation: ãiiij-[?iiij]-Ziiij- [Qqiiij]). Bound in full olive green morocco, gilt fleurons on the corners of the boards, spine ribbed and decorated, double gilt fillet on the edges and headpieces, large gilt inner lace, gilt edges on marbling (Trautz- Bauzonnet). Extremely rare first edition. Master work of the Huguenot poet Agrippa d'Aubigné, inspired by the wars of religion; he will wait nearly forty years before publishing it. "A poem written in mood, which is related to tragedy, epic and satire at the same time, it includes seven books (Misères, Princes, La Chambre dorée, Les Feux, Les Fers, Vengeances, Jugement) which show the reader the poet's rancor against those responsible for the troubles of an overturned world, as well as his confidence in God's designs, which will render justice to the persecuted Protestants" (Jacques Bailbé, En français dans le texte, 85). To print this book, signed with the initials of his nickname, Le Bouc du Désert, d'Aubigné installed the Niort bookseller (and son-in-law of the printer Thomas Portau) Jean Moussat, with his presses, in his castle of Maillezais, or in the nearby village of Maillé, near Niort. The copy does not include the errata leaf on the verso of the last printed page (The printer to the reader), which is often missing. A very fine and rare copy, nicely bound. (Discharge of the title on the first leaf; slight rubbing to the binding). Bibliography: Tchemerzine/Scheler, I, 160; Barbier, IV, 739. Provenance: Library of Dr. André van Bastelaer (bookplate).