107 - [HISTORY] - Philippe de Commynes (Lord of Argenton)

[HISTORY] - Philippe de Commynes (Lord of Argenton) The Memoirs of Sir Philippe de Commines, Lord of Argenton. Latest edition Leiden [Leyde], Published by the Elzeviers [Bonaventure and Abraham Elzevier], 1648 Small 12mo. Full contemporary vellum binding. Smooth spine with contemporary ink title (nearly faded) First Elzevier edition, considered one of the most illustrious typographic masterpieces of the Dutch collection. Alphonse Willems, the firm’s great bibliographer, describes it as an “admirably executed edition” and notes that it ranks among the most sought-after and prestigious titles printed by Bonaventure and Abraham Elzevier. Dedicated to the Marquis de Montausier, this text offers the most enlightening diplomatic and military account of the reigns of Louis XI and Charles VIII, as well as of the conflicts with Charles the Bold. The work is adorned with a frontispiece title page entirely engraved on copper, unsigned, featuring medallion portraits of the four great sovereigns of this epic period. References: Willems, *Les Elzevier*, no. 634; Pieters, no. 71; Rahir, no. 631.