[BAYART]. La Tresioyeuse plaisante & recreative hystoire compose par le loyal serviteur des faiz, gestes, triumphes et prouesses du bon chevalier sans paour et sans reprouche le gentil seigneur de Bayart... In-4, red morocco, armorial supra-libris of the Mello library in the center of the boards, 5-rib spine, interior lace, gilt edges ( Trautz-Bauzonnet). Bechtel, 57/B-69 // Brunet, III-182 // USTC, 31387. (4f.)-XCVIII / A4, A-Z4, ｸ4,?2 / 39 long lines, goth. car. / 171 x 242 mm. Rare first edition of the story of Bayard, the fearless knight whose epic is such that it ranks among the legendary figures who made French history. There are two versions of this illustrious character's story. One was written by Champier and first published in Lyon in 1525, the other by an anonymous author. This is the better and more sought-after version. The author is now known as Jacques de Mailles, one of Bayard's secretaries. This honest biography contains accounts of the battles in which Bayard took part, notably that of Marignan. This account of Bayard's life was not republished until almost a hundred years later, in 1616. Title in red and black, coat of arms of France on verso and initials in the text. A very fine copy, despite minor bumping to the upper corners of the binding and very skilful restoration to the first 2 and last 2 leaves. Provenance: Baron Achille Seillière (supra-libris, February 28 - March 4 1887, no. 105).