Unrecorded edition of a rare devotional work, in a fine Parisian fanfare binding. The binding is most likely produced in the workshop of the publisher, Pierre Rocolet (fl. 1638-1662), that worked for famous collectors as Marie de' Medici, Mazarin, and Chancellor Pierre Séguier. The present binding was likely made for a rich client as well. The work itself is exceptionally rare, as it has not been mentioned in any of the relevant reference works. We have also not been able to find any other copies of the present edition in either institutions or sales records.
The Exercice spirituel is a devotional handbook. It contains a guide to the Sacraments, and the Hours of the Virgin. According to the title page, it was written by V.C.P., who has not yet been identified. The work is dedicated to Madame Séguier, the wife of Rocolet's patron. The present edition is most likely the second, as we have been able to trace editions of 1643, 1651, 1657, and 1658 in sales records. Each edition appears to have different illustrations. The present includes 9 hand-coloured devotional prints, made by the French artist Balthasar Moncornet (1600-1668), depicting the Holy Family, the Visitation, St. Anne, the Coronation of the Virgin, Mary with Christ, King David, and the three Holy Sacraments.
Rocolet was appointed ordinary printer and bookseller to the king in 1645, but is most widely known for his bindings. Although he was not a bookbinder himself, he ran a workshop from 1638 till his death in 1662. It produced lavishly tooled fanfare bindings for a rich clientele, using the tools of the legendary but mysterious bookbinder Le Gascon (fl. 1620-1653), one of the most famous producers of pointillé bindings. Fanfare and pointillé were not typically combined, but the combination gives and especially beautiful and delicate result. The present binding is not signed, but it was most likely produced by Rocolet's workshop, because of clear similarities in style with other bindings attributed to that workshop. Most notably, every copy of the other editions of the Exercice spirituel we have been able to trace has been bound in a similar red morocco pointillé fanfare binding, with a quatrefoil as a central ornament (see Esmerian II, no. 34; Sotheby's Paris, precious bindings auction, 17 november 2022, lots 33 and 37).
With a small devotional print inserted in the front of the work. The work has been rebacked, with the original spine laid down, the boards have been somewhat rubbed, especially around the edges. The leaves are slightly soiled, especially the title page, the upper outer corner of the title page has been torn off, not affecting the engraving, the gilt decoration on the edges, especially the fore edge, has been partly rubbed off. Otherwise in good condition. Not in Adams; STC French; USTC; cf. Esmerian II, pp. 47-53 (bookbinder); Hobson, Les reliures à la fanfare.