LA GALLERIE DES FEMMES FORTES by LE MOYNE, Pierre - 1660

Leiden and Paris: Jean Elsevier and Charles Angot, 1660. Fine Binding. Good+. 32mo (4.8 in, 12 cm). [74] 1-452 [26] pp.; frontis, illus. French. First thus: First Elsevier edition with No Solus device on title page. Example of famed Elsevier pocket editions of Latin classics and French literature with engraved title-pages and narrow margins. Initially published in 1647, the book was dedicated to Anne of Austria, regent of France. Le Moyne dedicates chapters to 20 finely engraved "strong women;" five iconic women of each of four religions: Jewish, Pagan, Roman and Christian. Heroic icons include Deborah, Artemis, Lucretia, and Joan of Arc. Willems, Les Elzevier 864. Vidmar, La Galerie des Femmes Fortes 237-255. Signed binding by Kerr & Richardson of Glasgow. Early 1900s dark blue polished morocco binding with spine lettered in gilt and covers edge-rolled in gilt with gilt inside dentelles. All edges gilt. Engraved half-title depicts Anne of Austria to whom the book is dedicated. Full-page copper engraved portraits with etched background of heroic women begin each of 20 chapters. Engravings by Abraham Bosse and Gilles Rousselet after the work of Claude Vignon. Decorative initials, and headpieces and tailpieces. Extensive index. Green place marker. Engraved Chippendale Armorial (1740s-1770s) bookplate of John Towneley (1697-1782), noted translator of Hudibras into French. William Brown, Fine Art & Antiquarian Bookseller's ticket to front pastedown. Kerr & Richardson binder's ticket to rear pastedown. Extremities show some some wear and chipping, text loss primarily in signature L, offset from portraits, faint smudges, two short closed tears. 28 facsimile text pages available. Finely-bound first Elsevier edition with 20 portrait engravings. First Elsevier Edition, 20 Engravings.