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'In usum Delphini': from the celebrated series printed for the benefit of the son of Louis XIV, bound for a member of the noble Backer (van Leuven) family
[AMORIAL BINDINGS].Collection of 8 works from the 'in usum Delphini' series of classical authors.     Paris, F. Leonard a.o., 1675-1685. 8 parts in 5 vols. 4to. Contemporary uniform vellum, ribbed spines with black letterpress titles, all covers with large central gilt coat-of-arms of the noble family Backer van Leuven, panelled and with fleurons on all corners. Very fine, luxuriously bound set of works published in the series 'in usum Delphini' that marks an epoch in the history of classical scholarship and literature in France, the so-called 'Delphin Classics'. Our set is bound for a member of the Backer family, with very large richly gilt coat-of-arms on all covers. Rietstap illustrates the coat of arms under the name Backer only, Vorsterman van Oyen under the more specific name Backer van Leuven. The complete series comprised nearly 60 volumes that were produced in less than twelve years by 39 different editors. The general editor of the very expensive project was Pierre Daniel Huet of Caen (1630-1721), the co-adjutor of Bossuet in the tuition of Louis (1661-1711), the son of Louis XIV (the Sun-King, 1643-1715), called the Grand Dauphin. Classical works were considered an essential part of the general literature, and the Delphin-series was specially produced for the benefit of the Grand Dauphin, as can be derived from the phrase in usum serenissimi Delphini that appears on all the title-pages. The Dauphin died four years before his father Louis XIV in 1711. Louis XIV was succeeded by the Dauphin's eldest grandson Louis XV. For the first time, a complete series of classic texts incorporated extensive notes below the text and complete 'indices verborum' at the end of each text. The volumes of the original edition have an allegorical engraving depicting Arion and the Dolphin. In our set, this engraving appears as almost identical frontispieces (5x) and as a title-illustration (1x) (2 works without illustration). Comprises: (1) CAESAR, Cajus Julius. Quae exstant, interpretatione et notis illustravit Joannes Goduinus. Jussu Christianissimi regis in usum serenissimi Delphini. Paris, Petrus le Petit, 1678 (colophon at the end dated 1677). Engraved allegorical frontispiece, engraved portrait of the author on title-page, engraved head-piece with coat-of-arms of the Dauphin above dedication, folding engraved map of France by Liebaux, one engraved plate of a Roman bridge. (16), 490, (256: 'Index vocabulorum') pp. (2) CICERO, Marcus Tullius. Ad familares epistolae. Interpretatione & notis illustravit Philibertus Quartier, jussu ... Paris, Dionysius Thierry and widow of Simon Benard, 1685. Engraved allegorical title-illustration, engraved head-piece with coat-of-arms of the Dauphin above dedication, one engraved head-piece by S. Gantrel after F. Sevin. (8), XXXIV, (2), 614 pp. (3) NEPOS, Cornelius. De vita excellentium imperatorum. Interpretatione et notis illustravit Nicolaus Courtin. Jussu ... Paris, Fredericus Leonard, 1675. Engraved frontispiece by L. Cossin, woodcut printer's mark on title-page, woodcut head-piece with coat-of-arms of the Dauphin above dedication, woodcut headpieces and initials. (44), 163, (1 blank), (72: 'Index vocabulorum'), (2 privilege) pp. Bound with: (4) MAXIMUS, Valerius. Exemplorum memorabilium libri novem. Interpretatione et notis illustravit Petrus Josephus Cantel. Jussu ... Paris, widow Claudius Thiboust and Petrus Esclassan, 1679. Engraved frontispiece, woodcut head-piece with coat-of-arms of the Dauphin above dedication, (24), 68, 466, (82: 'Index vocabulorum') pp. (5) TERENTIUS Afer, Publius. Comoediae sex. Interpretatione et notis illustravit Nicolaus Camus. Jussu ... Paris, F. Leonard, 1675. Engraved frontispiece by I. Langlois after F. Chauveau wit portrait of the author underneath, woodcut printer's mark on title-page, woodcut head-piece with coat-of-arms of the Dauphin above dedication, a few other woodcut head- and tail-pieces and some woodcut initials. (168), 710, (117), (1 blank) pp. (6) VELLEIUS PATERCULUS, Caius. Historiae Romanae ad M. Vinicium Cos. libri duo. Interpretatione et notis illustravit Robertus Riguez. Jussu ... Paris, F. Leonard, 1675. Engraved frontispiece by L. Cossin, woodcut head-piece with coat-of-arms of the Dauphin above dedication. (30), 151, (1 blank), (88: 'Index vocabulorum'). Bound with: (7) AURELIUS VICTOR, Sextus. Historiae Romanae compendium. Interpretatione et notis illsutravit Anna Tanaquilli Fabri filia. Jussu ... Paris, printed by Antonio Lambin for Dionysius Thierry, 1681. Woodcut title-vignette, engraved head-piece with coat-of-arms of te Dauphin above dedication, woodcut head- and tailpieces and initials. (24), 302 [= 298] pp. And: (8) EUTROPIUS, Flavius. Historiae Romanae breviarium ab urbe condita usque ad Valentinianum et Valentem Augustos, notis et emendationibus illustravit Anna Tanaquilli Fabri filia, jussu ... Paris, widow Antonius Cellier, 1683. Woodcut title-vignette, engraved head-piece with coat-of-arms of the Dauphin above dedication, woodcut head- and tail-pieces and initials. (14), 183, (1 blank) pp. Very fine set of attractive, skilfully bound works.- (Occ. sl. browning/ spotting as usual).
On the family Backer (van Leuven): Vorsterman van Oyen I, plate 4 and p 16-17; Rietstap I, plate 3 and p. 11-13; On the series Delphin Classics: Sandys II, p.292. Ad 2: De Backer & Sommervogel VI, p. 1332, no. 4; ad 4: De Backer & Sommervogel II, p.690f, no. 2; ad 6: De Backer & Sommervogel VI, p. 1854, no. 4.
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All items are offered subject to prior sale. Prices are nett and in (€) EURO. VAT/BTW, postage, and insurance are not included.
Free shipping for orders over € 2,500. EU customers: if applicable, please quote your VAT number when placing orders.
Preferred mode of payment: by credit card through our secure online payment service, which is facilitated by Ogone. If you wish to make other arrangements, please contact us. Terms of sale
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