Las memorias . . . traducidas de Frances con escoltos propios por Don Iuan Vitrian prior y provisor de Catalayud. Antwerp, el la emprenta de Iuan Meursio,

Engraved title-page.Folio. [14]ff. 429pp. [15](last leaf blank). [6]ff. 477pp. [17]ff. Contemporary vellum.

Excellent copy of the first edition in Spanish of the memoirs of Commines, an account of the reign of Louis XI and the Italian expedition of Charles VIII covering the final 30 years or so of the 15th century. In these memoirs, for the first time after the classical age, Commines produced a critical and philosophical history, with the result that he became known as the father of modern history. This history is "Characterised by a hardheadedness and realism, e.g. his ridicule of chivalry and feudal warfare, in his preference for the diplomatic and subtle Louis to the headstrong and arrogant Charles, and in his condemnation of ruse and indirection. Both Machiavelli and Guicciardini were in his debt" (Wedeck & Schweitzer, Dictionary of the Renaissance, p. 163). Provenance: This is the copy of Baron Berlepsch, of Hanover, Austria and Hesse; his large 17th armorial stamp appears on two pages. Palau 58239. Peeters-Fontainas 266.

Stock Code: 39909