MONTCHRESTIEN (Antoine de).

Les Tragédies. Édition nouvelle augmentée par l'Autheur. Rouen, Martin de La Motte, 1627. In-8, fawn calf, double gilt fillet, ornate spine, red speckled edges (17th century binding). Partly first edition, dedicated to the Prince de Condé, of the tragedies by Antoine de Montchrestien (1575-1621), a Norman poet and playwright best known for his famous Traicté de l'œconomie politique (1615). It is enlarged by the Tombeau de Dame Barbe Guiffard, wife of Cl. Groulard, president of the parliament: this piece in verse and prose, says Paul Lacroix in the catalog of the Soleinne dramatic library (I, 1843, n°859), is there only as an indirect tribute to the memory of the author, who died in rebellion on October 7, 1621, and was condemned to be dragged on the rack, broken and burned. From the library of Dr. Pillin of Rouen (bookplate). Stain on lower corner of leaf Ll2. Corners, covers and spines restored. Tchemerzine, IV, p. 917. - Diane Barbier-Mueller, Inventaire..., n°528.