239 - LOUIS XIV (1638–1715), DAUPHIN OF FRANCE

LOUIS XIV (1638–1715), DAUPHIN OF FRANCE Exquisite binding featuring the emblems of Louis XIII, likely intended for the young Louis XIV France, circa 1638–1643, possibly from the workshop of Clovis Ève (circa 1565–1634) In-18, contemporary brown morocco leather; covers and spine decorated with a gold-stamped pattern of fleurs-de-lis alternating with crowned Ls, framed by gold fillets; ribbed spine decorated in the same manner. On the front endpaper, an engraved ex-libris bearing the quartered arms of France and the Dauphiné, surmounted by a crown and accompanied by the motto “Deus judicium tuum regi da, et justitiam tuam filio regis.” Text missing. 800/1200 Bibliography: Olivier, Hermal, and Roton, *Manuel de l’amateur de reliures armoriées françaises*, pl. 2493 (Louis XIII metalwork); Bibliothèque nationale de France, Rare Books Collection, RES-S-151 (binding featuring the emblems of Louis XIII). Related works: -Binding bearing the coat of arms of Louis XIII, adorned with a scattering of fleurs-de-lis and crowned royal monograms, Royal Riding School. In which one may observe the faults and the perfection of the knight in all the exercises of this art worthy of princes, Guillaume Le Noir, workshop of Clovis Ève, 1623, BNF, Paris, RES-S-151 -Brown leather binding featuring the coat of arms of Louis XIII, Publius Papinius Statius, *Opera*, Paris, Thomas Blaise, 1618, National Library of Russia, Saint Petersburg This remarkable binding, whose decoration features the cipher of Louis XIII, may have been crafted for him by Clovis Ève’s workshop and later attributed to his son, the future Louis XIV, born on September 5, 1638, at the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The binding’s decoration, which combines fleurs-de-lis with crowned Ls, is characteristic of the tradition of French royal bookbindings from the first half of the 17th century. The bookplate affixed to the front endpaper is of particular interest. Its coat of arms, combining the emblems of France and the Dauphiné, is accompanied by the first verse of Psalm 71: “Deus judicium tuum regi da, et justitiam tuam filio regis,” meaning “O God, grant the king your judgment, and to the king’s son your justice.” This quotation is particularly interesting in the context of the Dauphin’s birth in 1638. It was notably used that same year in the *Paraphrase of Psalm LXXI*, presented to Louis XIII on the occasion of his son’s birth. The combination of this motto, the Dauphin’s coat of arms, and the royal decoration on the binding confirms that the book belonged to the young prince. The engraving depicting Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem, pasted onto the second endpaper, attests to the religious nature of the work, likely a prayer book or devotional text. The quality of its decoration suggests a volume intended for princely use.