CONTI, Natale

Mythologie, c'est à dire explication des fables, contenant les généalogies des dieux, les cérémonies de leurs sacrifices. Leurs gestes, adventures, amours, Extraits du latin de Nole le Comte & augmenté de plusieurs choses. Rouen, Osmont Manassez de Preaulx, 1611. In-4 (237 x 162 mm) with engraved title, 3 ff.n.ch., 890pp. 13 ff.n.ch. Soft ivory vellum, handwritten title on spine (contemporary binding). A very good edition of the French translation (the first one dates from 1597) of one of the most important treatises on Greco-Latin mythology bequeathed by the Renaissance, based on the original of 1568 (Venice). Its author was an Italian humanist (died 1582) whose purity of language and elegance of style were highly appreciated in his time. The Ten Books of Mythology, or explanation of the Fables, are a huge mosaic of ancient quotations from tragic poets and philosophers, with abundant commentary. Small light wetness in the first quire, otherwise a good copy