COMMINES, Philippe de. Les Memoires de Messire Philippe de Commines, Sr. d'Argenton. Derniere édition. A Leide, Chez les Elzeviers, 1648.
12mo. Late 19th-century full vellum with yapp edges, red morocco lettering-piece to spine, all edges gilt; pp. [xxiv], 765, [19]; engraved title-page; light spotting to vellum, however an attractive copy; modern bookplate inside front cover, 17th-century ownership inscription to title.
First Elzevir edition of the celebrated memoirs of the French humanist chronicler (c.1445-1511). The first part of the Mémoires, which was first published in 1524-8, deals with the reign of Louis XI and the second part with Charles VIII's Italian campaign. The author served in a diplomatic capacity under both monarchs. 'The graphic style of his narrative and above all the keenness of his insight into the motives of his contemporaries, an insight undimmed by undue regard for principles of right and wrong, make this work one of the great classics of history' (Encyclopaedia Britannica, online).
Willems 634. Tchemerzine III, p. 468 ('jolie édition elzévirienne très recherchée').
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