[SPAIN] - FAVYN (André). History of Navarre, covering the or - Lot 50

[SPAIN] - FAVYN (André). History of Navarre, covering the origins, lives, and conquests of its kings from the beginning to the present, along with the most notable events that occurred during their reigns in France, Spain, and elsewhere. First edition of this history of Navarre, introduced by a superb allegorical frontispiece engraved by Léonard Gaultier. Paris, Laurent Sonnius, 1612. Folio, brown calfskin, ribbed spine decorated with fleurons and the title in gold, covers adorned with a double gold border. Vol., 2 unnumbered folios (dedication, privilege), 1,344 pp., 20 folios (table of contents). Numerous pagination errors common to all copies. Joints and hinges split; lower cap missing; upper cap damaged with a gap; corners worn away. Stains and surface wear on the covers. Leaves on pages 253–276 and 819–864 discolored. A comprehensive historical study by the jurist and scholar André Favyn (1560–1620), harshly criticized by Ferdinand Barbe for including “the most questionable historical traditions and even the most absurd legends” (Barbe 365), yet it nonetheless offers a fine overview of the history of Navarre, the families who ruled it, and the kings who reigned there. A beautiful Parisian print from the presses of Pierre Mettayer, adorned with grotesque initials and headbands drawn from the materials of his father, Jean Mettayer, a printer active from 1573 until his death in 1605. The richly engraved title page, featuring the coat of arms of Navarre, depicts views of Pamplona and Jaca—an excellent work by Léonard Gaultier (1561–1635), a prominent Parisian engraver of the late 16th century. Ex-libris bearing the coat of arms of the Duke of Fezensac on the inside front cover. Handwritten ex-libris by François de Camps (1643–1723), Bishop of Pamiers. [Brunet II 1198; Barbe 365] A fine copy of this carefully produced edition.