[AMADIS de GAULE]. Le Premier [Second, Troisiesme,...] livre d'Amadis de Gaule, mis en francoys par le Seigneur des Essars Nicolas de Herberay... 24 volumes in-8 and in-16 (volumes I to XII and XXII to XXIV in-8 format, volumes XIII to XXI in-16 format), blond calf, spine with 5 nicely decorated bands ( 18th century binding). Adams, I-864 et seq. // Brun, 109 // Brunet, I-215-217. I. 1560 (8f.)-CCLXVIIf. // II. 1555 (4f.)-CLXIIIIf. // III. 1555 (4f.)-CLXVIIIf. // IV. 1560 (8f.)-CLXXIXf. // V. 1560 (6f.)-CXCIIIIf. // VI. 1555 (8f.)-CCVIIIf. // VII. 1550 (8f.)-CXCIIf. // VIII. 1555 (12f.)-CCCIIIIf.// IX. 1563 (12f.)-CCCXLf.-(1f.) // X. 1557 (16f.)-223f. // XI. 1560 (12f.)-CCLXXIIIIf. // XII. 1560. (12f.)-CCCCXXIIf. (for 424) // XIII. 1571 (16f.)-495-(6f.) // XIV. 1577. (16f.)-352f. // XV. [1577]. 284f.-(2f.) // XVI. [1578]. 845-(4f.) // XVII. 1578. (16f.)-440f. // XVIII. 1578. 999-(9f.) // XIX. 1581. (16f.)-445f. // XX. 1581. (16f.)-384f. // XXI. 1581. (16f.)-448f. // XXII. 1615. (13f.)-857-(4f.) // XXIII. 1615. (4f.)-920-(6f.) // XXIV. 1615. (4f.)-853-(8f.) /// Volumes I to XII and XXII to XXIV: 95 x 162 mm; volumes XIII to XXI: 68 x 110 mm. A fine composite copy of one of the most famous Spanish romances of chivalry. In this novel, the hero Amadis de Gaule, son of the French king Périon and the beautiful Élisène, performs brilliant feats in Spain to win the hand of Oriane, daughter of the Danish king. For having offended the lady of his thoughts, he renounces the knightly life and retires to a hermitage under the name of Beau Ténébreux. Beau Ténébreux, before the misunderstanding is cleared up and Oriane is appeased. Amadis resumes his adventures under the name of Chevalier de la Verde Espée but, alas, Oriane must marry another. So our hero attacks the fleet taking her to her future husband and kidnaps her. It's only after further exploits that the father finally gives in and allows the union of the two lovers. Amadis has remained the epitome of a steadfast lover, who achieves the tranquil possession of his beloved only after countless adventures and hardships (Larousse). The authorship of the first twelve books is still uncertain, but it is generally accepted that they were probably written by the Portuguese Vasco de Lobeira, despite the claim of their first French translator, Nicolas de Herberay, that they were written in Picardy. First published in Spain in 1519, it wasn't until Francis I was taken captive in Madrid and returned to France that this novel of chivalry crossed the Spanish border. It was a great success and was reprinted many times. Books XIII to XXIV, containing the story of Amadis' descendants, were successively added by Spanish and French writers. A composite copy assembled by an 18th-century enthusiast, comprising the second edition of the first XII books, reprints of books XIII and XIV, and the first editions of books XV to XXIV. The first twelve books, whose edition was shared between Étienne Groulleau, Vincent Sertenas, Jean Longis and Robert Le Mangnier, are illustrated with 360 charming woodcuts (353 vignettes, 5 full-page and 2 hors-texte fold-outs). The set is one of the most successful illustrations of the period (Brun). Volumes XXII to XXIV, published in 1615 by Olivier de Varennes, each feature an engraved title. A fine copy bound in the 18th century, despite some binding defects and damage to several covers. 6 titles rebacked and 2 doubled, spotting on volumes III and XXII and 63 leaves restored (some partially rebacked in ink). Detailed list of snacks and defects on request.