RÉMOND’S CARMINA ET ORATIONES, 1617, IN DISTINGUISHED AND ELABORATE MOROCCO-GILT ARMORIAL BINDING

REMONDI, Francisci. Carmina et Orationes [Songs and Speeches]. Noua edition [New edition]… Viennæ [Vienna]: Ioannem Poyet, 1617. 16mo, contemporary full brown crushed morocco, elaborately gilt-tooled spine and boards, all edges gilt. $1750.

Early 17th-century collection of formal addresses and prayerful poetry, illustrated with woodcut initials and ornamental head- and tailpieces, in distinguished full crushed morocco bearing elaborate armorial gilt decoration.

The poet François Rémond was a native of Dijon and a Jesuit professor. This volume, which was first published at least as early as 1606, includes Rémond's speeches, devotional verses-several of which commemorate biblical characters, saints and liturgical occasions-and epigrams addressed to members of the administration of the Collège Royale at La Flèche. This institution, founded by King Henry IV, was "the most prestigious of the colleges which the Jesuits established in France," counting Descartes among its famous students (Oregon State University). The handsome morocco binding bears at the center of both boards a gilt-tooled coat of arms encircled by the inscription "G. Du Nozet Arc Sel Vic Leg Avenione"-apparently the crest of Guillaume Du Nozet, Bishop of Seleucia, legate at Avignon and member, from 1613 to 1626, of the Sacra Rota Romana, the supreme ecclesiastical court of appeals (Columbia University). A floral border within two double fillets surrounds the heraldry, which is set on a background of small, repeating fleurs-de-lys. Text in Latin. See Kristeller IV:510 (manuscripts). Contemporary owner inscriptions and old library inkstamp to title page. Tiny label to front pastedown, old pencil annotations to rear pastedown.

Scattered light foxing, light dampstain to bottom corner of first few gatherings, small wormhole to rear free endpaper. Mild rubbing to morocco, tiny holes from absent catches and clasps. Minor restoration to spine ends. A near-fine copy in beautiful armorial binding.