David Brass Rare Books, Inc

Comines, Philippe de History of Comines, The 1897

A Beautifully Bound Set of Danett s Translation of Comines s Masterpiece[COMINES, Philippe de]. The History of Comines. Englished by Thomas Danett anno 1596. With an Introduction by Charles Whibley. London: Published by David Nutt, 1897. Volume XVII of the Tudor Translations edited by W.E. Henley. Originally translated by Danett in 1566 and published in 1596, this edition is reprinted from the revised text of 1601. Two octavo volumes (8 1/16 x 5 3/4 inches; 205 x 147 mm.). xl, [2], 327, [1, printer s imprint and device]; xiii, [1, blank], [2, division title], 383, [1, printer s imprint and device] pp. Titles printed in red and black. Decorative initials.Bound by Zaehnsdorf in full navy morocco (stamp-signed in gilt on front inner dentelle). Covers bordered in gilt with French fillets, spines in six compartments with five gilt-decorated raised bands, lettered in gilt in two compartments and ornately tooled in gilt in the remaining four compartments with crimson morocco gilt onlays, board edges decoratively ruled in gilt, gilt inner dentelles, top edge gilt, pale blue marbled endpapers. An exceptionally fine and elegantly bound set.A HISTORICAL AND LITERARY WORK OF THE HIGHEST RANK and originally published posthumously in 1523, the memoirs aka history of Philippe de Comines, courtier and diplomat of Charles the Bold Duke of Burgundy, Louis XI, and Charles VIII of France, remains the standard historical work on the turbulent times in which he lived, and has been translated into many languages. His acute wisdom on statecraft, and deeply perceptive analysis of the fifteenth century s institutions, monarchs, and major figures and their motives is without parallel.Beginning his diplomatic career in the service of Charles the Bold, in 1472 Comines (ca. 1445 ca. 1511) entered the court of Louis XI of France, who richly rewarded his discretion, judgement, and skills. Upon the death of Louis, he soon was banished from the French court for alleged plots against Louis s successor, Charles VIII. Later regaining the monarch s favor, he accompanied Charles on his campaign to Italy, and was briefly ambassador to Venice. The English [translation] of Thomas Danett is a masterpiece untouched by age. It possesses all the virtues of majestic speech it carries its virtues upon the surface It satisfies the wisest canons of translation Neither fashion nor pedantry can stale this worthy translation of a masterpiece unique alike in observation and philosophy (Introduction).

$US650

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