726 - Baroque

Baroque *De Imitatione Christi*, 4 volumes. With an engraved title page by Claude Mellan. Paris, Typographia Regia, 1640. 3 leaves, 550 pp., 1 folio leaf. Contemporary smooth calfskin binding with a gold-stamped title on the spine, rich gilding on the front cover, and a blind-stamped and gold-stamped ornamental border on the cover (slightly rubbed and bumped). First edition published by the Manufacture Royale d'Imprimerie, founded in 1640 by Cardinal Richelieu as the successor to the “Imprimeurs du roi pour le Grec.” - Duprat, *Cataloque Chronologique*, No. 1. - *L'Art du livre à l'Imprimerie nationale*, 99. - With an ex-libris by “HB.” - Thomas à Kempis, an Augustinian canon, mystic, and spiritual writer, published a series of works in the 15th century intended to serve as a guide to Christian and spiritual life. His work *The Imitation of Christ* was first published anonymously in 1418, and Kempen’s authorship was long disputed. However, the four-volume series was, after the Bible, the most widely circulated book for a long time. - Edges browned. Some foxing throughout. Overall, very well preserved. First edition published in 1640 by the Manufacture Royale d’Imprimerie, founded by Cardinal Richelieu to succeed the “Imprimeurs du roi pour le Grec.”—Duprat, *Catalogue Chronologique*, No. 1. - L'Art du livre à l'Imprimerie nationale, 99. - With an ex-libris by 'HB'. - Thomas à Kempis, an Augustinian canon, mystic, and spiritual writer, published a series of works in the 15th century intended as a guide to Christian and spiritual life. His work *The Imitation of Christ* first appeared anonymously in 1418, and Kempis’s authorship was long disputed. However, the four-volume series was, after the Bible, the most widely circulated book for a long time. - Edges browned. Some foxing throughout. Overall in very good condition. This lot is subject to standard taxation. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union. This work is subject to the standard margin scheme. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints, and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.