Jacob Cats - Alle de wercken - 1654-1655

The works of Cats in the very rare first collected edition. The emblemata are still very instructional and entertaining, not only a delight for the eye but also food for the mind.

Collation; (18), 152, (20), 30, (4), 20, 195, (9), 32, (8), 184, (16), 267, (5), (10), 184, 84, 60, 24, (6), (8), 36, 160 pp.

Condition; Leather binding of somewhat (?) later date and with newer flyleaves (19th century). Content soiled and stained. Some pages with tears or missing bits (sometimes repaired/rejoined with other paper). Title engraving by Jacob Cats partly doubled, the print "Transit Gloria Mundi" somewhat cut short, here and there some old repairs. Fine sharp prints albeit sometimes with offset or bleed-through. Collation of the early editions of Cats is difficult due to the sometimes inclusion or omission of certain pieces or later additions. Comparison with another copy we sold a few years ago shows this copy lacks a title page of part 2, the title engraving of "Buyten-leven", the engraving of the deathbed of Frederik Hendrick. Contains more than 350(!!) engravings and emblemata including 2 portraits of Cats (one is the title engraving of part 1), a portrait of Anna Maria Schuermans and the famous "Huwelijksfuik". Despite the difficult composition and signs of use and age, an interesting copy because the first edition of the collected works is rarely offered.

¶ Titles included in this first edition of the Wercken van Cats according to the table of contents;

1. Emblemata or Zinne-beelden
2. Maeghde-plicht
3. Zelf-strijt
4. Toneel der Mannelicke Achtbaerheyt
5. Houwelijk of gantsche gelegenentheyt des Echten Staets (in meerdere delen)
6. Herder Klachten
7. Maegde-klachten
8. Spiegel van den Ouden en Nieuwen Tijdt
9. Proef-steen van den Trouring
10. Het geestelijk Houwelijk van Godes Son
11. Ouderdom en Buyten-Leven
12. Hof-Gedachten
13. Mengelingen
14. Aspasia, blyeyndentspel
15. Afbeeldinge des 't Huwelijx onder de gedaente van een Fuyk
16. Invallende gedachten op voorvallende zaken
17. Doodt-Kist voor de Levendige
18. 'T samen-spraek tussen Dood en een Out man
19. 'T samen-spraek tussen de Ziel en 't Lichaam

Weight ca. 5 kilogram.