Early edition of one of the first children's books ever published, together with the second and third part of the series. Charles Estienne (1504-1564) served as private tutor to Jan Antoine de Baïf, son of the humanist and diplomat Lazare de Baïf (ca. 1496-1547). He planned a series of books that were to be instructive, but also specially written to entertain children and give them pleasure in learning. This was a radical Renaissance notion at a time when most school books merely contained standard texts, often from classical antiquity, that children were to memorise and recite. The first two parts of the series were abridged adaptations for children, with French glossaries, of the popular works on classical antiquity by De Baïf, respectively on Roman dress and Roman vessels. The third part of the series was from Estienne's own hand. It gives the names and descriptions of plants and trees, with French translations of all botanical terms. First published at Paris by Robert Estienne in 1535, all three children's books were first published at Lyon by the scholarly publisher Sebastian Gryphius in 1536. The present copies are the second Lyon editions.
The final work is first edition of a scholarly text book on weights and measures, including weights of money, based on information drawn from written sources throughout history. It was compiled by Robert Ceneau (1583-1560), who was the bishop of Vence, Riets, and Avranches respectively.
With ink annotations on the front end papers. The vellum is somewhat soiled. The work is somewhat browned throughout, occasionally foxed and water stained. Otherwise in good condition. Ad 1: Adams B 44; Pettegree & Walsby 2529; USTC 79950 (11 copies); ad 2: Adams B 56; Pettegree & Walsby 2530; USTC 79830 (7 copies); ad 3: Adams S1732; Durling 1395; Hunt 45; USTC 79951 (15 copies); ad 4: Adams C 1253; STC French, p. 97; USTC 146886 (23 copies).