Les dix premiers livres de l'Iliade d'Homère

In-folio of CCCL-(1f.) / a-z6, A-E6, F-G4, bright red Jansenist morocco, spine with 5 raised bands, inner dentelle, gilt edges over marbling. Chambolle-Duru.

285 x 195 mm.

Salel (1504-1553). Homer. The First Ten Books of Homer’s Iliad, prince of poets: Translated into French verse by Mr. Hugues Salel, of the King’s chamber, & Abbot of St. Cheron.
Paris, at the Palais in the Gallery, near the Chancellery, at the shop of Vincent Sertenas, 1545.

First edition of the first ten books of Homer’s Iliad translated by Hugues Salel, considered as “one of the most beautiful French books of the 16th century in terms of typography.”

Hugues Salel (1504-1553) translated only the first twelve books of the Iliad.

This very fine edition was printed by Johan Loys, whose beautiful mark appears on the last leaf. It is adorned on the title page with a large woodcut depicting a garden in the middle of which stands the fountain of poets. From the mouth of Homer, perched at the top of the fountain, pours water at which seven poets come to drink. The rest of the work is illustrated with 10 large woodcuts, one for each book, showing scenes from the Iliad: a large woodcut for Book I and nine others, smaller and each placed in a repeated frame formed by juxtaposed woodblocks in which the royal arms and a small shield—probably Salel’s coat of arms—are found. 
These very fine woodcuts are in the style of Geoffroy Tory, but they bear no signature.
Finally, the work includes 12 large initials with leafy motifs and dotted backgrounds.

“A certain poetic talent gained him favor with Francis I, who showered him with gifts and appointed him his valet de chambre and later maître d’hôtel. It was to reward him for his translation of the first books of the Iliad that the king gave him, in 1540, the Abbey of Saint-Chéron. Salel became the first commendatory abbot. After the death of his benefactor (1547), he left the court and probably gave up the worldly life he had led until then to spend the rest of his days peacefully at Saint-Chéron. He was still alive at the end of March 1553, as shown by a letter from Olivier de Magny, who referred to him as “counselor and ordinary almoner of the queen.” His poems are few in number and are praised by poets of his time, such as Mellin de Saint-Gelais, Olivier de Magny, Pierre Paschal, Jodelle. Nearly all are about love, and are filled with free and flavorful expressions.”

Bibliographers unanimously emphasize the typographical and iconographic beauty of this book.

“The Privilège of François I. for 10 years is dated 18 Jan. 1544 (? o.s.) and signed De l'Aubespine. This is in italic letter and occupies the leaf following title. Then follows "Epistre | de Dame Poesie, au | treschrestien Roy François . ." occupying pp. V-XVTII. The Iliad follows, ending on p. CCCL : then a leaf with, "Aux Lecteurs' and "Les faultes" on recto and large device of printer on verso ” (Fairfax‑Murray).

Superb Fairfax-Murray copy (no. 250), with exceptionally large margins.