Maximilien de Bethune, Duc de Sully - Mémoires de Maximilien de Bethune duc de Sully, principal ministre d'Henry Le Grand, mis en ordre - 1747

The most beautiful edition of Sully's memoirs, complete in 3 volumes in octavo, illustrated with a charming allegorical frontispiece by Licherie engraved by Baudet, a portrait of the Duke of Sully engraved by Tardieu, a portrait of Henry IV engraved by Mathey, and 3 headpieces by Gravelot engraved by Fessard.

These Memoirs are among the major sources for the history of the reign of the last Valois and Henri IV. They cover the period from 1570 to 1611. The text of this edition was reviewed and annotated by de l'Escluse des Loge, who made reading easier.

Full vellum bindings of the period, with a rounded spine decorated with a title piece featuring gilded initials. Sprinkled edges.
Solid volumes. Brown stains on the covers, rubbed spines and corners. Interior is fresh and clean, well preserved overall despite a few rare pages yellowed with scattered foxing. A fine copy.

Provenance: Colonel Vesey with a heraldic ex-libris engraved, bearing the inscription 'Sub hoc signo vinces.'

Sully (Maximilien de Bethune, Duke of)

Memoirs of Maximilien de Bethune, Duke of Sully, chief minister to Henry the Great, published
In order, with remarks by M.L.D.L.D.L.

London, 1747, 3 volumes in 3 quarto volumes of (4)-XXXVI-607 pages; (4)-X-612 pages; (4)-VI-617-(1) pages.
full-grain calf leather