Extremely rare festive book printed in Antwerp PUGET... Lot 20

Extremely rare festive book printed in Antwerp PUGET DE LA SERRE, Jean. Curious history of all that happened at the entry of the Queen Mother of the King very Christian in the cities of the Low Countries.Anvers, Balthasar Moretus, 1632. In-folio (300 x 213 mm) of 5 ff.n.ch. (faux-title, allegorical title engraved by Galle, engraved portrait of the queen, 3 engraved views out of text; old vellum. Kat. Berlin, 2946; Gourari, Splendid Ceremonies, 278. Missing in Vinet and Brunet. Rare festive book, celebrating the entry of the queen mother, Marie de Medici, into the cities of Mons, Brussels, and Antwerp (each entry is illustrated with a beautiful etched view). Brunet and Vinet cite only a later edition, published in London in 1639 under the title Histoire de l'entrée de la reyne mère, with a different text and illustrations. The beautiful engraved title page is strongly influenced by Rubens. It depicts the queen's portrait in a medallion, surrounded by figures illustrating her royal descent. Marie de Medici had asked to visit the shop of Balthasar Moretus, grandson of the famous printer Plantin, established in Antwerp. To celebrate the queen and thank her for her visit, Moretus prepared a four-page eulogy and gave her a copy. The latter appreciated so much this gesture, that Puget de la Serre tells this event in his book (p. 64): "The Reyne & the Infanta received with favor this small present, considering its price by the ardor of the zeal of celuy who made it. And it is necessary to admit that he excels as much in virtue as in his possession, making himself admirable in the one, & inimitable in the other." A good copy, given in old vellum with new endpapers.