Jean Le Royer de Prade - Le Trophée d’Armes Héraldiques - 1655

Rare and richly illustrated edition of a significant French treatise on heraldry from the mid-17th century. Especially attractive are the magnificent allegorical copper-engraved title and the numerous engraved coats of arms, which provide a vivid insight into the heraldic symbol language of the French nobility.

Le Royer de Prade, Jean. Le Trophée d’Armes Héraldiques, ou la Science du Blason. Avec les figures en taille douce, & les armoiries de plusieurs familles, qui n’ont point esté encore imprimées. Seconde édition, revue, corrigée, & de beaucoup augmentée par l’Auteur.
Paris, Nicolas & Jean de la Coste, 1655. 4°. 93 Seiten, 3 Blätter. Mit gestochenem allegorischem Titel und 32 Kupferdarstellungen auf 16 Blättern. Flexibler Pergamentband der Zeit. 23 x 18 cm
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The work systematically introduces the rules of heraldry and explains the meaning of the heraldic colors, divisions of the shield, heraldic figures, and common figures. Through numerous examples the author presents the fundamentals of a visual language that played a central role in early modern Europe for representing origin, rank, and social standing.

Particularly interesting are the detailed explanations of the distinctions within noble families, the so-called braces (brisures), as well as of helm ornaments, shield supports, and other outer heraldic components. The finely engraved illustrations depict both basic heraldic forms and elaborate family crests. Noteworthy is the allegorical copper-engraved title with an imposing suit of armor, military trophies, and numerous shield devices.

The French writer and heraldist Jean Le Royer de Prade (1624–circa 1680) belonged to the literary circle of Cyrano de Bergerac. His first published treatise in 1650 combines a systematic presentation of heraldry with a remarkably rich copper-plate illustration program. The present second edition of 1655 was expressly revised, corrected, and substantially expanded by the author, and is at the same time an interesting witness to French nobility and cultural history under Louis XIV.
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Parchement binding in age-appropriate good condition. Inner edges darkened and occasionally faintly speckled. Overall a charming exemplar of this rare, richly illustrated 17th-century French heraldry treatise.