25 - LAVARDIN, Jacques.

LAVARDIN, Jacques. The History of George Castriot, Known as Scanderbeg, King of Albania Paris: G. Chaudiere, 1597. In-8, (20) leaves, including title page and two portraits, 447-(12) leaves. Contemporary fawn-colored speckled sheepskin, red morocco title label, decorated ribbed spine, red edges, decorated panels (scuffs, worn corners, missing caps, split joints, restored title page, foxing). A rare early edition of the famous French biography of Georges Kastrioti or Castriot (1405–1468), known as Skanderbeg, an Albanian lord and national hero, and a leading figure in the resistance against the Ottoman Empire. The work is a French adaptation by Jacques de Lavardin of the *Historia de vita et gestis Scanderbegi* by Marin Barleti, an Albanian historian from Shkodër, first published in Rome around 1508–1510. Lavardin’s translation was first published in 1576 and played a major role in making the story of Scanderbeg known to the French public. This edition, published in 1597 by Guillaume Chaudière, reproduces this biography, expanded and extended to cover the period up to the death of Mehmed II. After breaking with the Ottomans in 1443, Scanderbeg took the lead in the Albanian resistance and waged a series of campaigns against the sultan’s armies for nearly twenty-five years. His military successes, celebrated throughout Europe, made him an iconic figure of Christian resistance to the Ottoman Empire. Only one copy in the CCFr (BnF). Illustrated with two large etched bust portraits by Ja de Weet depicting Georges Castriot and Mehmed II. Antique ex libris redacted on the title page. Typographic mark on the title page; engraved initials and woodcut headpieces. Atabey, 682, which mentions only the English edition.