A group of beautifully bound antique books in Latin, French, and English, published in Amsterdam, The Hague, London, Paris, and Lyon, ca. 1569-1746. Subjects include religion, ecclesiastical history, cultural history, literature, and politics. Expected wear consistent with age including toning, foxing, edge rubbing, and isolated loss. Please refer to catalog photos for additional information related to condition, which is overall very good. The books measure between 32mo to 8vo.

The books include, in chronological order:

1. 1569 or later. Apparently privately bound, containing a printed treatise in the front, Philipp Melanchthon, "Examen Eorum Qui Audiuntur Ante Ritum Publicae ordinationis, qua commendatur eis ministerium Evangelii" (Traditum Vuitebergae, 1554), originally published by Johannes Crato in Wittenberg, Germany in 1569; and an extensive manuscript section inserted and bound in the back. In Latin. Strikingly bound in leather covers scored with highly decorative panels depicting the Apostles, the front cover with two hand-drawn triangular seals containing heraldic symbols. Manuscript inscriptions on spine and on textblock, former owner inscriptions. Missing the original clasps. Not paginated. 4" x 6.25" x 1.75."

2. 1625. Aureli Prudenti, "Clementis V.C. Opera: Ex postrema, doct: viro: rum, recensione" (Amsterdam, Apud Guiljel: Caesium, Anno 1625). In Latin. Leather covers, ex libris notations, 262pp. 2.5" x 4.625" x .75."

3. 1656. Jean-Louis Guez De Balzac, "Lettres Choisies du Sr. De Balzac" (Amsterdam, Chez les Elzeviers, 1656). In French. Leather covers, manuscript title on spine, former owner inscriptions, 404pp.

4. 1687. Louis Maimbourg, "Histoire du Pontificat de Saint Leon le Grand. Par Monsr. Maimbourg" (La Haye [The Hague]: Chez Adrian Moetjens, Marchand Libraire prés de la cour, à la Librairie Française, MDCLXXXVII [1687]). In French. Leather covers, manuscript title on spine, 402pp plus the Table des Matières [Table of Contents].

5. 1693. Gilles Menage, "Menagiana" (Paris: Chez Florentin et Pierre Delaulne, devant l'Eglise de Sorbonne, a l'Empéreur, MDCXCIII [1693]). In French. Mottled leather covers, gilt embossed spine, vivid marbled pastedown endpapers, former owner inscriptions, 504pp plus the Table des Noms and Table des Matières [Table of Contents]. 3.75" x 6.5" x 1.5." This book has been described as "one of the more famous collections of anecdotes and sayings popular at this period."

6. 1698. John Flavell, "A Treatise of the Soul of Man" (London, Printed by J.D. for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns near Mercers Chappel in Cheapside, 1698). In English. Leather diced covers, manuscript inscriptions on front cover and spine, former owner inscriptions. Isolated insect damage to the paper, else near fine. 424pp. See especially Flavell's "Table of Life" and "Table of Death" in the front of the book, which he uses as a sort of thematic Index and Table of Contents. Around p. 230, Flavell discusses supernatural apparitions and necromancy.

7. 1708. Robert Jenkin, "The Reasonableness and Certainty of the Christian Religion, Vol. I, 3rd Edition" (London: Printed by W.B. for Richard Sare at Grays-Inn Gate in Holborn, 1708). In English. Leather covers with intricate geometric diced designs and ebonized borders, manuscript inscription on front cover, former owner inscriptions. 394pp. Of especial interest is Part III, where Jenkin discusses "Mahomet's Alcoran."

8. 1712. Claude Joli, "Prônes de Messire Claude Joli, Eveque et Comte d'Agen, Pour Tous Les Dimanches de l'Annee, Tome Quatrieme" (Lyon: Par les Associez au Privilege, MDCCXII [1712]). In French. Leather covers, gilt-decorated spine, some loss to cover edges and past exposure to moisture, else good. 614pp plus the Table des Matières [Table of Contents].

9. 1746. Gilbert Burnet, "An Exposition of the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England, 5th Edition" (London: Printed for D. Midwinter, J. and P. Knapton, A. Ward, T. Longman and T. Shewell, C. Hitch, A. Millar, and C. Bathurst, MDCCXLVI [1746]). In English. Leather covers, gilt-embossed spine, former owner inscriptions, some surface loss to covers, else good and with a handsome frontispiece engraving of Gilbert. 501pp plus Index.

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