(1549). ALCIAT. EMBLEMES, DE NOUVEAU TRANSLATEZ EN FRANÇOIS - Lot 233

(1549). ALCIAT. EMBLEMES, DE NOUVEAU TRANSLATEZ EN FRANÇOIS VERS POUR VERS IOUXTE LES LATINS. Lyon, Guillaume Rouille, 1549. In-8, 267-[5] pages, black calf, boards cold-stamped in the manner of the 16th century, ribbed spine, red edges (Petit, successor to Simier). One of the finest editions of Alciat's emblems. This famous collection of illustrated quatrains was extraordinarily popular in the 16th century, attracting the allegorical interpretations of symbols by the artists of the day. This Lyon edition is illustrated with a large architectural title frame and 200 pretty unsigned figures; the latter, remarkably woodcut, are larger than those of earlier editions and set in large baroque frames. Translator Barthélémy Aneau has arranged these emblems by commonplace, and states in the preface: "Chacun aura dans ce petit livre, tout ce qu'il vouldra inscrirera ou pindre aux murailles de la maison, aux verrières, tapis, couvertures, tableaux, images, tables, licts, brief à toutes pièces ou ustensiles en tous lieux". This copy bears the box on page 178 indicated by Baudrier. A few emblems have been colored, and a notebook has been placed upside down in the binding. Hinges weakened. (Baudrier IX, 158. "Edition la meilleure comme tirage des vignettes") (Rothschild II, 354) (USTC 6230) (Mortimer French n°15).