112 - [CYNEGETICS - MEDIEVAL HUNTING] - [FERRIÈRES, Henri de] / BLAZE, Elzéar (Ed.)

[CYNEGETICS - MEDIEVAL HUNTING] - [FERRIÈRES, Henri de] / BLAZE, Elzéar (Ed.) The Book of King Modus and Queen Racio. New edition, based on the manuscripts of the Royal Library, illustrated with engravings based on the vignettes from these manuscripts, faithfully reproduced, with a preface by Elzéar Blaze Paris, Published by Elzéar Blaze, 1839 In-4°. Contemporary black half-maroquin. Spine with 4 raised bands. Title in gold lettering. Owner’s initials in gold at the bottom of the spine. Cold-stamped coffered decoration. Interior in excellent condition. A very luxurious edition and the first printing of this memorable work on the art of hunting. The original work, written in the 14th century and traditionally attributed to the Norman lord Henri de Ferrières, is the oldest printed treatise on hunting in the French language. A great classic of hunting literature, the first part details the *Livre des déduits* (the hunting of wild beasts and birds), while the second part presents moral and Christian allegories. The writer and Imperial officer Elzéar Blaze (1788–1848) orchestrated this monumental limited-edition reprint by comparing several precious royal manuscripts. Printed with exceptional care on Dutch paper, the layout features Gothic typeface printed in red and black. The illustrations are remarkable: they include some fifty figures and ornate initials woodcut by Béthune, faithfully reproducing early medieval miniatures. References: Thiébaud, Bibliography of French Works on Hunting, 339–340; Souhart, 183. Provenance: from the library of Fernand Le Proux (bookplate)