70 - [LITERATURE & BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY] - PLUTARCH - ADER, Jean-Joseph

[LITERATURE & BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY] - PLUTARCH - ADER, Jean-Joseph A set of two biographical reference works, comprising: - PLUTARCH. Lives of the Noble Men. New translation by Alexis Pierron, preceded by a literary essay on Plutarch. Paris, Firmin Didot Frères, 1849, 2 volumes Large 8vo. Brown glossy half-calf. Spine with 4 raised bands decorated with gold fillet. Some flaws and foxing. First edition of the remarkable translation by Alexis Pierron (1814–1878), acclaimed for its clarity and literary fidelity, which revitalized the reading of the famous comparative biographies of the great figures of Greek and Roman history. References: Quérard, *La littérature française contemporaine*, VI, 24; Brunet, IV, 742. - ADER (Jean-Joseph). *Plutarch of the Netherlands, or Lives of Illustrious Men of That Kingdom*; preceded by a historical introduction. Brussels, Laurent Frères, 1828, 3 volumes In-8°. Half calf with corner pieces. Spine with 4 raised bands. Author’s labels and title and volume number labels in red glossy calf. Marbled edges. Foxing and rare water stains. First edition of this important biographical collection modeled on the classical tradition, profiling prominent figures from the seventeen provinces (William of Orange, Egmont, Van Dyck, Justus Lipsius...). The illustrations include 3 lithographed frontispieces by Jean-Baptiste Jobard. References: Quérard, *La littérature française contemporaine*, I, 6; Graesse, I, 21. A set of 5 in-8° volumes. Provenance: from the library of Philippe Kervyn of Volkaersbeke (bookplate) for both works