Œuvres
Very rare first edition of the Works of Rabelais printed in Lyon by Pierre Estiard in 1571.
The present copy bound in old morocco, lined with morocco, is said to be the finest recorded.
Three parts in-16 of 320 pp. and (4) leaves; 408 pp. and (4) leaves, 149 pp. and (6) leaves, title within a border.
Red morocco, triple gilt fillet border on the covers with small corner fleuron, spine with raised bands decorated with gilt fillets and fleurons, red morocco doublures with gilt dentelle border, decorated edges, gilt edges. 17th-century binding.
115 x 74 mm.
Rabelais, François. Works of Master François Rabelais, Doctor of Medicine. Containing five books of the life, acts & heroic deeds of Gargantua, & his son Pantagruel. Also. The Pantagruelian Prognostication, with the oracle of the Goddess Bacbuc, & the Word of the Bottle. Newly reviewed & enlarged with what follows beyond the previous editions. The Navigations & the Ringing Island. The Island of the Apedestes, the Philosopher’s Cream, with a Limousin Letter, all by M. François Rabelais.
Lyon, Pierre Estiart, 1571.
Followed by: The Third Book of the Acts & Heroic Deeds of the Good Pantagruel. Franc. Rabelais to the spirit of the Queen of Navarre.
Abstract spirit, enraptured, & ecstatic, who frequenting the Heavens, has left behind your host & home, your harmonious body, which so conforms to your commands in the wandering life without feeling, & as if in apathy: would you not wish to make a few excursions from your perpetual divine abode, and down here see a third part of the joyful acts of the good Pantagruel?
Followed by: The Fifth and Last Book of the Acts & Heroic Deeds of the Good Pantagruel. Which contains what follows.
The Navigations & Ringing Island. The Island of the Apedestre, newly added. The Philosopher’s Cream. A Limousin Epistle.
With a visit to the oracle of the divine Bacbuc, & the Word of the Bottle: for which this long journey was undertaken. All composed by M. François Rabelais, Doctor of Medicine.
First edition of the Works of Rabelais printed in Lyon by Pierre Estiard in the year 1571.
Tchémerzine, V, 309; Plan, 102; Rawles & Screech, 66.
“Rare edition, of which Mr. Brunet could not see a copy when he published his Research” (Lignerolles, Paris, 1894, no. 1788).
The edition is so rare that the B.N.F. holds only the fifth book, Rawles and Screech reveal in “A New Rabelais Bibliography,” no. 66, “Locations: Paris, B.n.F.: Res p.Y2 1423. The fifth book only.”
“Lovely edition printed in very clear small type” (Brunet, supplement, col. 367)
“Pierre Estiard’s editions number four,” mentions Brunet, IV, 1058; “printed in 1571 (this one); 1573, 1574 and 1596.”
Precious copy bound in superb Parisian red morocco of the 17thth century, lined with red morocco, in exceptional condition.
Tchémerzine only mentions the two copies from Count de Lignerolles bound in the 19thth century; Brunet could not see a copy and Deschamps mentions two copies: Luzarches bound by Capé in the 19thth century and "Taschereau, incomplete."
