The Chronicles of Enguerrand de Monstrelet; Containing An Account of the Cruel Civil Wars Between the Houses of Orleans and Burgundy; of The Possession of Paris and Normandy by the English; Their Expulsion Thence; and of Other Memorable Events that Happened in the Kingdom of France, as well as in other countries... Translated by Thomas Johnes, in Two Volumes. London: William Smith, 1840.
A STUNNING FINELY BOUND SET OF MONSTRELET'S FAMOUS HISTORY OF 15TH CENTURY FRANCE, HERE ONE OF THE EARLIEST ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS.
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This rare publication represents a crucial printing of Johnes' influential translation, the primary standard in the 19th century. Enguerrand de Monstrelet, a French chronicler born around 1400 in Picardy, authored the 'Chronique de Enguerrand de Monstrelet,' spanning 1400 to 1447, with later contributions up to 1516.
Monstrelet's historical value lies in meticulous detail and use of numerous primary documents, notably covering the latter part of the Hundred Years' War. His impartiality is questioned due to a perceived bias toward the Burgundians. This edition, initially published in French around 1470, is enhanced by detailed woodcut illustrations and engravings across both volumes, offering a vivid portrayal of architecture, attire, and landscapes. The appendices include works by Bon-Joseph Dacier and de Foncemagne, enriching the set with contextual essays on Monstrelet's life and observations on his chronicles
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Size: 181 x 250 mm (approx., each)
Condition:
[xxxvi, pp.1-640]; [xvi, pp.1-552]
Collated as complete through both volumes including the various in-text illustrated leaves. Spines uniformly sunned with some light wear to raised bands and at extremities but generally show very attractively with the gilt remaining very bright. Tooled labels are very attractive, particularly the volume labels which have intricate gilt tooling decorating them. Light shelf wear. Joints rubbed but uncracked with all boards securely attached. No shelf lean. Bindings secure. Boards very good or better except the front board of the second volume which has some water staining which does not affect the page block. Bookplate to both front pastedowns of William and Kathleen Hansford. A bit of foxing to endpapers else very clean throughout both text blocks. Stamp of W.E.J. Hansford to head of ffep verso in both vols.
[OCLC 608796674].
