Books with Royal Bookplates
Louis XIV
Louis XIV (1638-1715) was the eldest son of Louis XIII of France, a nephew of Gaston of Orleans, the father of Louis the Grand Dauphin and the great-grandfather of Louis XV. Known as Louis the God-given (Louis Dieudonné) or the Sun King (Roi Soleil), he was the king of France from 1643 until his death in 1715. Ascending the throne at the age of four, Louis XIV only assumed real powers after the death of his chief minister Cardinal Mazarin in 1661. The reign of Louis XIV lasted for 72 years, he became one of the most influential kings of France with absolute power. The lavish royal palace of Versailles is considered to be one of the greatest expressions of French Absolutism. Under his reign, France achieved not only political and military pre-eminence and outstanding economic successes, it also became the cultural and intellectual center of Europe.
Roseo da Fabriano, Mambrino (?-;1584?).
Le Parrangon de vertu, pour l'institution de tous princes, potentatz et seigneurs chrestiens : contenant en sommaire presque toutes les histoires hébraïques, greques, latines antiques, et maintes modernes de France, Italie et Espagne, faisans à ce propos : pris de l'italien, de Mambrin de La Rose, et mis en nostre vulgaire françoys. — Paris: Étienne Groulleau, 1549.
8o (103 x 165 mm). A red marocain binding with gold embossing. Louis XIV's super ex libris — the King's coat of arms, crown and the fleurs-de-lis are placed on the front and back covers (is established by: OHR, pl. 2494, no.9).
Provenance: Suchtelen, Pieter (1751-1836) (an engraved bookplate bearing a coat of arms, and stamp on the title page «Bibliotheca Suchtelen»).
Shelf mark: 36.42.2.19
The fine edition of the 16th century, came to the Public Library from the Pieter Suchtelen collection, as evidenced by the stamp on the title page and bookplate pasted on the fly leaf. The Parrangon du vertu, pour l`institution de tous Princes(that means Paragon of virtue, for teaching all Princes) is a moral treatise published in French in 1549.
From the preface it appears that the French text is a translation from Italian, made by the poet and writer Jean Mogin. The Italian notary and writer Mambrino Roseo da Fabriano (circa 1550-1584), famous for his chivalric romances, as well as for his translations from Catalan and Spanish into Italian, was attributed as the author of the original text. Mambrino Roseo was not its author, but the translator of the 1537 Spanish treatise Relox de pricación; ncipes (Hours of Sovereigns) by the Franciscan Antonio de Guevara. This work teaches rulers how to behave to retain their power and successfully transfer it by inheritance. The external similarity of this text with Machiavelli's Sovereign should not be misleading: instead of the cynical and cold-blooded rational recommendations of the great Florentine thinker, Christian piety and the Catholic faith occupy a central place in the book.
Vergilius Maro, Publius (70-19 BC).
P. Virgilii Maronis Opera, quae quidem extant, omnia. Cum veris in Bucolica, Georgica, & Aeneida commentariis Tib. Donati & Servii Honorati summa cura ac fide à Georgio Fabricio Chemnicense emendatis : Adiecto etiam ab eodem Rerum & verborum locuplete in ijsdem memorabilium Indice. Quibus accesserunt etiam Probi Grammatici, Pomponij Sabini, Phil. Beroaldi, Ioan. Hartungi, Iod. Willichii, Georg. Fabricii, Bonfinis, & aliorum annotationes. — Basileae [Basel] : per Henricum Petri, 1561.
2° (200 х 300 mm). A brown leather binding with gold embossing. Louis XIV's super ex libris — the King's coat of arms, crown and the fleurs-de-lis are placed on the front and back covers (is established by: OHR, pl. 2494, no. 2).
Provenance: Gabriel Savoya (award paper of the Navarre College of 1664?), Louis de de Sanlecque(?) (1652-1714) (owner's record «Ex biblioteca domini de Sanlecque»).
Shelf mark: 7.5.1.69
On the cover of the binding is gold embossing with Louis XIV's super ex libris: the coat of arms of France and the coat of arms of Navarre under the common royal crown, framed with a ribbon. Noteworthy is the award sheet pasted to the front sheet by the student at the Navarre College Gabriel Savoya, signed by the doctor of theology at the University of Paris and the Master of Navarre College Guignar on August 8, 166(?)4. The gift was made when Gabriel was at the age of "eight days, ten months after he turned thirteen years". According to our hypothesis, the award sheet can be dated 1664. Since 1660, a certain Andre Gignard was a professor at the Navarre College and at the same time a doctor of theology at the University of Paris. In the 1690's, the leader of the Catholic male congregation of lazarists in Versailles was Gabriel Savoya (that is, in 1664 he might well be thirteen years old).
In addition, on the award sheet, there is an inscription in another handwriting: "Ex biblioteca domini de Sanlecque (From the library of the Sanlecque)". The Sanlecque were well-known Parisian typographers and engravers of the 17th - 18th centuries. The most notable member of this family was Louis de Sanlecque (1652-1714), who did not follow the family occupation. He became a canon and then prior. Louis de Sanlecque was famous for writing satirical poetry in French and Latin, as well as for polemics with Boileau and Racine.
The book itself is a beautiful collection of Virgil's collected works published in Basel in 1561.
Belleforest, François de (1530-1583).
L'histoire des Neuf Roys Charles de France : contenant la fortune, vertu, & heur fatal des Roys, qui sous cenom de Charles ont mis à fin des choses merueilleuses. Le tout comprins en dix-neuf liures, auec la table sur chacune histoire de Roy. Par Francois de Belle-Forest Comingeois.— A Paris: a l'Oliuier de P. l'Huillier, 1568.
2o (214 x 330 mm). The brown leather binding with gold embossing. Louis XIV's super ex libris — the King's coat of arms is placed on the front and back covers, the fleurs-de-lis are on the spine (is established by: OHR, pl. 2494, no.7).
Shelf mark: 32.18.1.13
A copy of the History of the Nine Kings who Had the Name of Charles, written by François de Belleforest in 1568, belonged to the Załuski brothers. Belleforest (1530-1583) produced his historical work during the reign of Charles IX as the official apology for the king. However, the sovereign did not like the narration, and the hapless historian fell into disgrace. Belleforest subsequently became famous as the author of numerous but minor works on cosmography, history and literature, and also as a translator of Italian authors into French. His main contribution to European culture was most likely his translation of the histoires tragiques by the Italian Matteo Bandello. One of these stories may be the source for Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Tacitus, Cornelius (approx. 56 -; approx. 17).
C. Cornelii Taciti Opera quae exstant, ex Iusti Lipsi editione ultima: & cum eiusdem ad ea omnia commentariis aut notis. — Antverpiae [Antwerpen], apud Christophorum Plantinum, 1585.
2o (207 x 310 mm). The brown leather binding with gold embossing. Louis XIV's super ex libris — the King's coat of arms is placed on the front and back covers, the fleurs-de-lis are on the spine (is established by: OHR, pl. 2494, no.7).
Shelf mark: 7.5.1.35
The book with the Kings's super ex libris consists of the two publication: Works by Cornelius Tacitus, edited by the Flemish scholar Justus Lipsius, and the Comments by Justus Lipsius to Tacitus' The Annals. The Flemish humanist Justus Lipsius (1547-1606) was famous for his outstanding edition of Tacitus' works which are no less relevant today. Besides, he was a notable philosopher and historian. Justus Lipsius did not remain faithful to religious principles, but remained faithful to his publisher — almost all of his work were issued by the publishing house of Christophe Plantin (1520-1589). The front pages of the publications of Plantin caries printer's mark — a compass held by a disembodied hand, surrounded by the motto "Labore et Constantia" ("By Labor and Constancy"). Such a mark can be seen on the title page of this book.
Isocrates (436-338 до н.э.).
Ισοκρατους Λογοι και επιστολαι. = Isocratis Orationes & epistolae cum latina interpretatione Hieronymi Wolfii. Editio postrema, recognita, & a mendis purgata. — Parisiis [Paris] : apud Ioannem Libert, 1621.
8° (115 х 184 mm). The brown leather binding with gold embossing. Louis XIV's super ex libris — the King's coat of arms, surrounded by the fleurs-de-lis, is placed on the front and back covers, the fleurs-de-lis are on the spine (is established by: OHR, pl. 2494, no.7).
Provenance: Roloff, Friedrich Jacob (approx. 1721-1788) (shelf mark label «Ex bibl. Frid. Jac. Roloff.»); Library of the Warsaw Lyceum (characteristic notes on the title page — «L. V.»); the owner's record is "Editio rara. Fabricio incognita Exemplu[m] ex Bibliotheca augustissima"; the owner's record is onthe title page «H. Lefranc».
Shelf mark: 7.23.7.41
Before entering the Imperial Public Library, the book with Louis XIV's super ex libris was kept in the Warsaw Lyceum, as evidenced by the inscription "LV" on the title page. The Warsaw Liceum is the educational institution that acted in Poland in 1804-1831 and was closed after the November Uprising of 1830–31. The book contains the publication of parallel Greek and Latin texts of Isocrates (436-338 BC).
Julianus Apostata (331-363).
Ιουλιανου αυτοκρατορος Τα σωζομενα. = Iuliani imp. Opera, quae quidem reperiri potuerunt, omnia : Ea vero partim antehac edita, partim nunc primum e manuscriptis eruta, & ad horum fidem accuratissime castigata, Graece, Latineque prodeunt, cum notis. — Parisiis [Paris] : sumptibus Sebastiani Cramoisy, 1630.
4° (173 х 231 mm). The brown leather binding with gold embossing. Louis XIV's super ex libris — the King's coat of arms surrounded by the fleurs-de-lis and the crowned initial L is placed on the front and back covers, the fleurs-de-lis and the crowned initial L are on the spine (is established by: OHR, pl. 2494, no.7, 15).
Provenance: The Library of Saint Genevieve (the owner's record «41. Ex Libris S[anc]tae Genovef. paris. 1753» is on title page and page no. 41 has the inscription «B. St. G»).
Shelf mark: 7.44.8.4
This book with super ex libris of Louis XIV was, at one time, stored in the Library of Saint Genevieve in Paris. The publication contains parallel Latin and Greek texts of Emperor Julian II (331-363) & mdash; the last pagan emperor of ancient Rome. Julian left a vast literary heritage, mainly philosophical and religious texts in Greek, in which he gave a description of his pagan view of the world.
Le Brun, Laurent (1608-1663).
Laurentii Le Brun Nannetensis, e Societate Iesu Iuventus sancta, variis opusculis ad iuventutis institutionem spectantibus aucta. — Parisiis [Paris] : apud Sebastianum Cramoisy, & Sebast. Mabre-Cramoisy, 1664.
4° (177 х 245 mm). The brown leather binding with gold embossing. Louis XIV's super ex libris — the King's coat of arms surrounded by the fleurs-de-lis and the crowned initial L are placed on the front and back covers, the fleurs-de-lis and the crowned initial L are on the spine (is established by: OHR, pl. 2494, no.7, 15).
Provenance: Coustol, Renatus Franciscus (the 1664 award sheet of the College of Louis the Great), Załuski, Józef Andrzej (1702-1774) (characteristic notes on the title page).
Shelf mark: 15.51.7.34
The book with the super ex lbris of Louis XIV was donated to the pupil of the Clermont Jesuit College R. Coustol in 1664, as evidenced by the award inscription with the Jesuit seal on the foretitle. As far back as 1550, the Bishop of Clermont, Guillaume du Pra, invited the Jesuits to open a college in the French capital, giving them his own Paris palace. Three decades later, during the reign of Henry IV, the college was closed, for several years the Royal Library was located in its empty premises. However, in 1618, the school opened its doors again and from that time was under the protection of kings, first of Louis XIII, then Louis XIV, who earmarked the money for college and paid for books presented to distinguished students as incentive gifts. In the collection of the National Library of Russia, the book came from the collection of the Zaluski brothers, as evidenced by the notes on the title page.
Gironnet, Jean.
Philosophia vulgaris refutata. A.I.G.D.P. — Francofurti [Frankfurt a. M.] : apud Iacobum Volphangum, 1668.
8o (85 x 153 mm). A red marocain binding with gold embossing. Louis XIV's super ex libris — the King's coat of arms is placed on the front and back covers, his monogram is on the spine (is established by: OHR, pl. 2494, no.10, 21).
Shelf mark: 36.68.5.24
The red leather-bound book with the gold super ex libris of Louis XIV contains the anonymous philosophical treatise Outcast Folk Philosophy in Latin. The mystery of author's name is disclosed on the title page: Jean Gironnet. No biographical information about him has been found yet. The treatise is a metaphysical work on the relationship between the soul and the body of man; it was written from the Neoplatonic positions in the antischolastic (anti-Aristotelian) spirit. The main text of the treatise precedes the dedication to the Galician Dauphin ("gallorum delphino"), i. e. to Louis the Great Dauphin, son of Louis XIV.
La Barde, Jean de (approx. 1600-1692).
Joannis Labardaei Matrolarum ad Sequanam marchionis, regis ad Helvetios et Rhaetos extra ordinem legati, De rebus Gallicis historiarum libri decem, ab anno 1643 ad annum 1652. — Parisiis [Paris] : apud Dionysium Thierry, 1671.
4° (187 x 255 mm). A red marocain binding with gold embossing. Louis XIV's super ex libris — the King's coat of arms and a frame are placed on the front and back covers, the fleurs-de-lis are on the front and back covers and the spine (is established by: OHR, pl. 2494, no.10).
Provenance: Załuski, Józef Andrzej (1702-1774) (characteristic notes on the title page).
Shelf mark: 12.6.7.3
Marquis Jean de la Bard (circa 1600-1692) was a diplomat, French ambassador in Switzerland (from 1648 to 1663). The aim of his mission was to extend the alliance with the cantons, which ended in 1651. De la Bard achieved success in the course of lengthy diplomatic negotiations that were complicated by the "Fronde" and active interference of other European states. He concluded a new alliance on conditions favorable to France. De la Bard's main historical work is De rebus Gallicis historiarum libri decem. This is a description of his contemporary history of France from 1643 to 1652. Although the work was not completed, it was well accepted by the public who liked the language and the impartial style of narration.
Commelet, François.
Almanach historial pour l'année bissextil 1672. Aux remarques duquel on connoistra par chacun iour les changemens de l'air, & autres choses que les astres produisent icy bas Diligemment supputé & calculé par M. Francois Commelet professeur es mathematiques. Avec le cathalogue des villes où l'on bat monnoye. Ensemble les festes de toutes les paroisses de Paris. Et les foires du royaume de France. Avec l'Almanach du palais. — A Paris : chez la veuve Du Pont, [1672].
12° (110 х 183 mm). A rawhide binding with gold embossing. Louis XIV's super ex libris — the King's coat of arms is placed on the front and back covers (is established by: OHR, pl. 2494, no.2).
Shelf mark: 33.89.6.4
Among the extensive collection of calendars and almanacs of the 17th century, stored in the National Library of Russia, four have super ex libris of Louis XIV on their bindings. Three of them include the coat of arms of the King of France and Navara, which was rarely used by Louis XIV in the last quarter of the 17th century.
From the title of this almanac, it follows that it was compiled by a certain professor of mathematics François Commelet, contains a list of church holidays arranged by months, the timetable of French fairs, as well as various predictions. It is curious that the printed pages of this almanac alternate with empty sheets. Obviously, this is done so that the owners of the book can make records and notes related to the month or the specific day.
Questier, Mathurin (? -; approx. 1650).
Almanach historial pour l'an de grace 1673. Exactement supputé & calculé par Maistre Mathurin Questier, grand astrologue & bon autheur. Reveu & corrigé ensemble les festes de toutes les parroisses de Paris. Avec l'Almanach du palais. — A Paris : chez la veuve Du Pont, [1673].
12° (140 х 173 mm). A rawhide binding with gold embossing. Louis XIV's super ex libris — the King's coat of arms is placed on the front and back covers (is established by: OHR, pl. 2494, no.2).
Shelf mark: 33.89.6.20
The Almanac for 1673 is compiled by a certain astrologer Mathurin Questier, whose portrait is placed on the title page. As in the previous one, this almanac has blank sheets for readers' notes.
Nostradamus, Michel (1503-1566).
Almanach historial, pour l'an de grace, 1674. Exactement supputé & calculé par Maistre Michel Nostre Damus, grand astrologue, natif de Salon en Provence. Avec l'Almanach du palais. De plus est adjousté la maniere de semer & replanter toutes sortes d'herbes potageres, & de sallades tant en hyver qu'en esté. — A Paris : chez la veuve Du Pont, [1674].
12° (120 х 180 mm). A rawhide binding with gold embossing. Louis XIV's super ex libris — the King's coat of arms is placed on the front and back covers (is established by: OHR, pl. 2494, no.2).
Shelf mark: 33.89.6.13
Judging by the appearance of the title page, the almanac for 1674 contains calculations and predictions, the most famous European astrologer Michel Nostradamus (1503-1566). However, it is questioned what relevance Nostradamus really may have to this almanac is question.what Nostradamus really has to do with the almanac that appeared 108 years after his death.
Almanac ou Calendrier pour l'année mil six cens quatrevints-dix-sept: exactement calculé sur l'élévation et le méridien de Paris : Ou sont marquez (sic!) les éclipses le lever & le coucher du Soleil, le mouvement de la Lune, les changemens de l’air, &c. avec les jours des Foires, le Journal du Palais, le départ des Couriers, la demeure des Messagers, & le Tarif des Monnoies. — A Paris : chez Laurent D’Houry, [1697].
8o (120 x 190 mm). A red marocain binding with gold embossing. Louis XIV's super ex libris — the King's coat of arms и the fleurs-de-lis is placed on the front and back covers (is established by: OHR, pl. 2494, no.10).
Shelf mark: 33.77.3.1
Unlike the previous almanacs, this one has Louis XIV super ex libris only with the fleurs-de-lis, this variant was more common for the King's books. Almanac for 1697 is published without indicating a specific compiler. It contains measurement of the French meridian arc, the dates for full moons and eclipses, as well as a Calendar of Fairs and trade tariffs.
Matthias a Corona (1598-1676).
De potestate judiciali Episcoporum, dignitate et potestate archiepiscoporum, et jure militari praesulum, iurisdictionem temporalem habentium tractatus Sacrae Scripturae, historiae ecclesiasticae, conciliorum, theologiae, controversiarum, SS. Canonum, & casuum conscientiae studiosis utilissimus auctore R. P. Matthia a Corona Leodiensi, carmelita, Sacrae Theologiae Doctore Parisiensi. — Leodici Eburonum [Liège] : apud Guilielmum Henricum Streel, 1673.
2o (217 x 347 mm). A red marocain binding with gold embossing. Louis XIV's super ex libris — the King's coat of arms is placed on the front and back covers, his monogram is on the spine (is established by: OHR, pl. 2494, no.10, 21).
Provenance: «Bibliothecae Regia» (the stamp on the title page); Załuski, Józef Andrzej (1702-1774) (characteristic notes on the title page).
Shelf mark: 10.106.148
A Treatise of the Doctor of Theology from Liege Rev. Fr. Matthias of Corona (1598-1676) On the Power and Dignity of the Holy Roman Church’s Cardinals, etc. belonged to the Zaluski brothers. In turn, it came to them from the Royal Library of France, as evidenced by the stamp "Bibliothecae Regia" on the title page.
Charpentier, François (1620-1702).
De l'Superiority de la langue françoise. Par M. Charpentier, de l'Academie françoise. — A Paris : chez Claude Barbin, 1683. — 2 vols.
12° (103 х 182 mm). A red marocain binding with gold embossing. Louis XIV's super ex libris — the King's coat of arms is placed on the front and back covers, вензель is placed on the front and back covers и корешке, инициал «L» are on the spine (is established by: OHR, pl. 2494, no.10, 21).
Provenance: Załuski, Józef Andrzej (1702-1774) (characteristic notes on the title page).
Shelf mark: 7.47.5.13
In the second half of 17th century, a dispute on the relative merit of the ancient and modern languages arose among the members of the French Academy. It was called "the Quarrel of the Ancients and the Moderns". Contemporary French authors such as Charles Perrault, Jean Chapelain, Pierre Corneille contrasted their works and their French language with the works of Virgil, Homer, Ovid. Jean Racine, Nicola Boileau and others supported the ancient authors. On the contrary, the member of the French Academy François Charpentie (1620-1702) wrote the treatise on the superiority of the French language over Latin.
Cicero, Marcus Tullius (106-43 до н.э.).
M. T. Ciceronis Orationes interpretatione & notis illustravit P. Carolus de Merouville, Societatis Iesu; jussu christianissimi regis, ad usum serenissimi delphini. — Parisiis [Paris] : apud viduam Simonis Benard, 1684. — 3 vols.
4° (191 х 260 mm). A red marocain binding with gold embossing. Louis XIV's super ex libris — the King's coat of arms is placed on the front and back covers,the fleurs-de-lis on the front and back covers and on the spine (is established by: OHR, pl. 2494, no.7).
Provenance: Coyet, Wilhelm Julius (1647-1709) (the owner's record is on the title page); the engraved bookplate «Nulli Cessura Fides».
Shelf mark: 7.19.3.20
A magnificent three-volume edition of Cicero's Speeches, bound in scarlet marocain with Louis XIV's gilded super ex libris, was published as part of the series Ad usum delphini" (Latin. "For the use of the Dauphin"). As early as the Grand Dauphin, the elder son of King Louis XIV, had attained 9 years of age in 1670, his tutor the Duke of Montausier considered it necessary to begin acquaintance of the boy to a collection of classical Greek and Latin texts. However, often in the works of even the most authoritative ancient writers, there are expressions and descriptions of certain events that can embarrass the tender soul of the child. Therefore, the pious Duke of Montausier invited two famous theologians and, at the same time, philologists — J.-B. Bossuet and P.-D. Yue & mdash; so that they selected the best examples of ancient literature, edited them, throwing out or elegantly substituting obscene scenes. In total, 64 volumes were issued from 1670 to 1698, and by the time the last volume appeared, the Grand Dauphin was already a thirty-seven-year-old married man who raised his own sons.
Statuts, ordonnances et reglemens du corps des marchands merciers, grossiers, joüailliers de cette ville de Paris. Accordés par les rois Charles VI. Charles IX. Henry IV. Loüis XIII. & Loüis XIV. Imprimez de nouveau par l’ordre des Sieurs Thomas Tardif, grand garde, Jean Herault, Alexandre Deuvercy, François du Cauroy, Christophe Doré, Marc-François Lay, Louis Martin, gardes en charge. Avec plusieurs arrests rendus en consequence desdits statuts & ordonnances. — A Paris, 1601 [i. e. 1701].
4° (197 x 263 mm). A brown leather binding with gold embossing. Louis XIV's super ex libris — the King's coat of arms is placed on the front and back covers, the fleurs-de-lis on the front and back covers and on the spine (is established by: OHR, pl. 2494, no.10).
Provenance: Załuski, Józef Andrzej (1702-1774) (characteristic notes on the title page).
Shelf mark: 10.22.2.63
Statutes, ordinances and regulations of the corporation of merchants, haberdashers, grocers and jewelers of the city of Paris. Given by King Charles VI, Charles IX, Henry IV, Louis XIII and Louis XIV is a code of acts, issued in the very beginning of th 13th century. The title page carries , by mistake, 1601 as the date of publication, in fact the book was published a century later, in 1701. It is curious that the book was stylistically executed in the style of the 15 century editions : it has wide margins and a title embossed on the upper cover of the binding.