Beauchasteau (François-Mathieu Chastelet, dit le Petit de) - La Lyre du jeune Apollon, ou la Muse naissante du Petit de Beauchasteau, dédiée au Roy - 1657

Beauchasteau (François-Mathieu Chastelet, known as le Petit de).
La Lyre du jeune Apollon, ou la Muse naissante du Petit de Beauchasteau, dédiée au Roy.
Paris, Charles de Sercy et Guillaume de Luynes, 1657.
Two parts in one small 4to volume, soft vellum of the period, spine with raised bands, no lettering.

Original edition of this rare poetic miscellany attributed to the young Beauchasteau, a child prodigy then about twelve years old. The first part begins with numerous pieces written in praise of him by writers and courtiers; the second gathers sonnets, madrigals and epigrams addressed to Louis XIV, to the queen, to Mazarin, and to the principal contemporary figures. A few pieces are in Italian and Spanish.

Two parts with separate pagination: [88]-262-[24] and [8]-127-[3] pages. The second part ends indeed on page 127, followed by the colophon: “À Paris, de l’imprimerie de Nicolas Foucault, M.DC.LVII”. A copy complete with its text.

Careful impression, sometimes in red and black, adorned with a title engraved with the lyre emblem, with armorial headbands, with a composition representing Apollo surrounded by the Muses, as well as numerous fleurons, initials and tailpieces.

Copy lacking all off-text engraved portraits, notably the author’s frontispiece portrait and those of the dedicatees. Ancient manuscript note giving the name François-Mathieu Chastelet on the title.

Period binding worn, stained and rubbed, with damage to the boards and hinges. Gatherings loose; last leaf partially detached. Paper slightly browned, some foxing, damp stains, creases and marginal tears, with no notable damage to the text.

Rare original edition, complete with the text and preserved in its period vellum, but heavily devalued by the absence of the portraits.