45 - DU BELLAY (Joachim). [A Collection of Twelve Plays]. Paris, 1558–60. In-4 (213 x 150 mm), 18th-century calfskin binding, ribbed spine decorated with gilt fleurons and a coat of arms in the lower panel, two fillets on the covers with the inscription

DU BELLAY (Joachim). [A Collection of Twelve Plays]. Paris, 1558–60. In-4 (213 x 150 mm), 18th-century calfskin binding, ribbed spine decorated with gilt fleurons and a coat of arms in the lower panel, two fillets on the covers with the inscription “St Port” in gold letters, speckled edges. An important collection of eleven poetic works by Du Bellay, including five first editions, assembled in the early 18th century by Jean-Baptiste Gluck, Baron of Saint-Port and Sainte Assise, a close friend of the Countess of Verrue. A distinguished bibliophile, Jean-Baptiste Gluck (1674–1748) was the son of an industrialist of Dutch origin who, at Colbert’s instigation, had founded the royal dyeing and fine cloth factories near the Gobelins. An art lover, collector, and patron of the arts—much like his first cousin Jean de Julienne—he was extremely generous, hosting writers and artists, notably Watteau, at his château in Sainte Assise. In 1720, he purchased the entire library of Bernard de La Monnoye, who had fallen on hard times, while allowing him to continue using it for the rest of his life. The catalog of books from his own library was printed after his death in 1749. The binding bears his coat of arms at the bottom of the spine and the inscription “Saint Port” on the covers, as well as his bookplate on the inside front cover. The collection, which also contains Guillaume Aubert’s “Elegy on the Death of the Late Joachim Du Bellay,” includes: 1) *Les Regrets* and Other Poetic Works. Paris, Frédéric Morel, 1559. Second edition. 2) The First Book of *Antiquities of Rome*. Paris, F. Morel, 1558. Second edition, published in the same year as the original, differing from it only in minor spelling corrections. 3) Various Rustic Games and Other Poetic Works. Paris, F. Morel, 1560. Third edition. 4) Address to the King on the Truce of the Year 1555. Paris, F. Morel, 1559. Second edition. 5) Hymn to the King on the Capture of Calais. Paris, F. Morel, 1559. Second edition. 6) Epithalamium on the Marriage of the Most Illustrious Prince Philibert Emanuel, Duke of Savoy, and the Most Illustrious Princess Marguerite of France, the King’s Only Sister and Duchess of Berry. Paris, F. Morel, 1559. First edition. 7) The Dauphin’s Endeavor for the Tournament, in the Name of the Adventurous Knights. Paris, F. Morel, 1559. First edition. 8) Tumulus Henrici secundi gallorum Regis. Paris, F. Morel, 1559. First edition. 9) Elegy on the Death of the Late Joachim Du Bellay. By G. Aubert de Poitiers. Paris, F. Morel, 1560. First edition. 10) Two Books of Virgil’s Aeneid, Translated into French Verse by J. Du Bellay. Paris, F. Morel, 1560. First edition. 11) In Praise of France and the Most Christian King Henry II. Paris, F. Morel, 1560. First edition. 12) The Monomachy of David and Goliath; along with several other poetic works. Paris, F. Morel, 1560. First separate edition, partly original. “Second edition, significant and extremely rare” (Barbier. My Poetic Library. Part Three. Those of the Pléiade, no. 33). A very fine, well-preserved copy of this precious collection. Binding slightly rubbed, fore-edges slightly worn with small restorations at the top and bottom, a slight trace of discoloration at the top of the title page of *Regrets*, likely due to the erasure of an inscription, and a small stain at the top of the last (blank) leaf of the *Elegy* and the title page of the *Two Books of the Aeneid*. An old handwritten signature (17th century?) on the first endpaper.