192 - [CATHOLIC LEAGUE]. A Menippean satire on the Catholicon of Spain and the convening of the Estates of Paris.

[CATHOLIC LEAGUE]. A Menippean satire on the Catholicon of Spain and the convening of the Estates of Paris. First printing of this charming Elzevirian edition, adorned with a fold-out plate depicting the League’s Procession, in a very fine full morocco binding. Ratisbonne [Brussels], Mathias Kerner [Foppens], 1664. In-12, full fawn morocco, spine with decorated raised bands, gilt fleurons and title between the bands, triple framing with gilt corner tools on the covers, decorated headbands and edges, interior frieze, endpapers and inner covers of marbled paper, all edges gilt on marbled paper. 336 pages, 1 engraved fold-out plate, title page featuring a globe, headpieces, initials, and tailpieces. Binding slightly rubbed and stained, corners slightly creased. Very rare foxing. First printing of this lovely Elzevirian edition published by Foppens, illustrated with the famous fold-out plate depicting the Procession of the League (which is missing in many copies). It contains notes by Pierre Dupuy. There is an 8-line errata on the verso of the 4th leaf of the preliminary pages, a distinctive feature of the first printing. [Brunet V, 144] Handwritten ink annotations on the blank endpaper, specifying the authors’ names and providing bibliographic references for the work. From the Gambais library, with a heraldic bookplate on the inside back cover. A very famous collective satirical pamphlet in prose and verse against the League hostile to Henry IV, first published in 1593. Among the foundational pieces of the collection, the *Catholicon* is attributed to Pierre le Roy, the verses to Jean Passerat and Pierre Rapin, and the *Harangues* to J. Gillot. This gathering of distinguished and talented scholars lends the pamphlet great literary significance and value (the Satire was successfully reprinted until the 19th century). “At once a comedy, a pamphlet, and a coup d’état, the *Satyre Ménippee* paved the way for Henry IV to the throne” (P. Larousse). A fine copy in full morocco, with a beautifully fresh interior.