1544 In Canonicas Apostolorum Septem Epistolas Collatio, Guilliaud. Griphius, Lyon.

A binder and/or previous owner took care to retain the contemporary binding on this 1544 comparison of the gospels by the Sorbonne scholar Claude Guilliaud, In Canonicas Apostolorum Septem Epistolas Collatio. A popular work, it was printed four times in the 16th century (this being the second edition).

About the Author -

Guilliaud's patron was Jacques Hurault, bishop of Autun. His office obliged Guilliaud to visit and attempt to convert any persons condemned for heresy, and to accompany them to their execution (Bibliographical Register of Paris, Farge, p. 214, 1976). Guilliaud is also noted for his extensive library, said to have contained 1500 books.

Scarcity -

At the time of this posting, using Vialibri to check, this is the only 16th century copy available.

Provenance -

Ex-libris inscription on the title page of a Benedictine congregation. With the ticket of Max Cointreau, the late collector of early books whose collection was recently sold at auction.

Physical Attributes -

Measures approx. 26 x 18 x 2 cm, 4to. Calf binding, contemporary, laid over refreshed binding (repaired). Board with inner and outer frames in blind; inner frame has corner florets and a central sun in blind. Spine with five raised bands, title in gilt on morocco in one compartment. Refreshed endpapers. Printer's mark on title page and on last printed leaf.

Pages - 255, (1 - recto begins Index), 11 leaves of index (23 pages of Index), and a blank page/printer's mark on verso leaf at rear.

Collation - Z4, M4

Condition -

See pictures. Contemporary binding utilized in a restoration, but the binding is now a little tight; the 16th century remnants are quite crazed (surface cracking) and there's one 1" loss of surface leather on front board.

Ex-libris ticket of Max Cointreau on pastedown. Title page with inscription from a Benedictine congregation; several rubs, bottom corner repaired, a spray of ink across the bottom, and a crossed-through initial. Moisture marks at fore-edges at first and last leaves, and at bottom edge throughout (no text affected, marginal). Nice wide margins. Occasional underlining, strike-through and marginal annotation. Occasional dog-eared page, thumb, fox spot, etc.. Several small spots (dust?) on 101, 111. 3rd leaf at rear index has 2" tear at fore-edge. A few leaves near rear a little toned.

I nitpicked, but mostly clean pages with wide margins with occasional underlining and notes. Ink-spots on last leaf, with printer's mark.