Robert Estienne's First Illustrated Book and the First Edition of De re navali

Lazare de Baïf; Antonio Telesio; Charles Estienne, ed. LAZARI BAYFII ANNOTATIONES IN L.II. DE CAPTIVIS, ET POSTLIMINIO REVERSIS. IN QUIBUS TRACTATUR DE RE NAVALI [and three other works]. Paris: Ex Officina Rob. Stephani [Estienne], 1536. First printing of this collection of texts. Rebound in half leather over marbled paper-covered boards, spine with gilt-stamped label, with fresh endpapers. 4to; A4 B-L8 M4 2A-2B4 2C-2P8; [8], 168, [8], 203, [13index]pp. (with the typical errors in pagination). The volume contains several texts, including Baïf's writings on naval affairs (De re navali), ancient dress (De re vestiaria), and vessels (De vasculis), and ending with Telesio's De Coloribus, the first published monograph on colors. With numerous woodcuts, many full-page, of ships, jars, and more that Charles Estienne explains at the start of the volume come from ancient monuments; with printer's device on the title page, decorated initials, and final errata. Text in Latin and Greek. Renouard 44.19; STC French, p. 39.

8 x 5 3/4 in.

A Private North Carolina Collection

Robert Estienne's first illustrated book; an extremely scarce edition.

Some scuffing to boards, age wear to leather (especially at the spine which shows discoloration), rubbed and bumped corners, and joints rubbed and creased with cracking starting at ends and associated wear and separation of backstrip at head; interior with soiling, staining, expected toning, areas of gutter cracking, occasional tear or tiny holes, some chipping and wear at corners and margins, a rare spot of foxing, and numerous repairs with most towards the end of the volume and with the largest in the index (with associated loss to text); scattered early writing including on the title page; the title page showing some heavier soiling and handling wear; a few leaves with some separation; a copy that shows its age but overall still sturdy and complete.