(1550). PELETIER DU MANS (Jacques). DIALOGUE DE L'ORTOGRAFE - Lot 246

(1550). PELETIER DU MANS (Jacques). DIALOGUE DE L'ORTOGRAFE E PRONONCIATION FRANÇOESE. Poitiers, Jan et Enguilbert de Marnef, 1550. In-12 of [16]-216 pages, light calf, boards decorated with gilt fleurons at the corners and center of the boards, cold framing, modern wooden case (period binding). VERY RARE FIRST EDITION. Jacques Peletier du Mans (1517-1582), professor of mathematics, Latinist and translator, physician, poet and grammarian, sets out his program for reforming French spelling. He abolished double consonants when pronunciation reveals only one; he also distinguished between u and v, i and j, etc... These rational distinctions were not definitively established in France until a century later, and are among the most important works on French spelling of the 16th century. Light rings in the corners of the first and last leaves, very well-executed restorations to the spine and boards. Fine contemporary binding (USTC 23472) (Tchémerzine V, 147) (Barbier Mueller, Ma bibliothèque poétique, III, n°3).