Emblemata, partim moralia partim etiam civilia . . . accedunt et alia quaedam poemata in aliis poematum suorum libris non contenta.Gouda, Andreas Burier, 1618

ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR EMBLEM BOOKS

Engraved frontispiece, engraved portrait and 74 engraved emblems in text.

4to (205 x 150mm). [6]ff. 251pp. 17th century calf, covers with gilt filet border, corners with crowned trefoil stamps, large central gilt arms of three trefoils divided by a fess, supported by lions on either side with a crown above, flat spine with simple gilt border, later label (spine expertly laid down).

First edition of one of the most popular Dutch emblem books.

There are numerous plates which feature excellent representations of animals, but others include a lute-player, children playing games as well as an alchemist in his laboratory. One emblem, no 19, recommends that wine can sharpen the mind, it shows a begging Pegasus, who stands beside Bacchus astride his barrel, goblet aloft, demanding a sip. The fine plates have been ascribed to Crispin de Passe, although one of the engravings bears the monogram "S M".

Florens van Schoonhoven (1594-1648) was only 24 when this his only book was published, and had studied law at Leiden University where he also converted to Catholicism, his fine portrait opens the work.

The arms are possibly those of a member of the Lyonnese family of Pomponne de Bellièvre, many of whom were notable statesmen and bibliophiles, although they differ from the arms reproduced in Olivier (nos. 482 & 483).

Occasional light browning otherwise a good copy.

Praz, p. 493. Landwehr, Low Countries 727. Hollstein XVI, 173.

Stock Code: 224292