Opera Thomae a Campis, cognomento Malleoli, viri pientissimi et Religiosissimi sub Carone divi patris Augustini, aucta, et diligentius recognita, suaque serie reposita [...]. Parisiis: Joannem Roigny, 1549, folio.
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A scarce early edition of Thomas Kempis' works, including The Imitation of Christ, largely following the 1523 Badius edition. This edition has the beautiful printer's device of Jean Roigny which shows a printing press in operation during the post incunable period. This copy has interesting provenance, see below.
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Provenance:
Unidentified 16th century inscription to front blank verso of "calasquo" (?)
Circa 17th century inscription of Gaspard de Segonzac, probably French.
Bookplate of Armand Jules de Rohan-Guéméné (1895-1765), the then Roman Catholic Archbishop of Rheims. He anointed King Louis XV at his coronation.
In the collection of the important Jacobin Convent at Paris with their stamp to title page recto, circa before 1790, probably acquired from the above. See BIF 65788 for a citation of the attribution of this stamp with an image which suggests this type of their stamp dates from the 18th century. Their collection was dissolved during the French Revolution, presumably including this book. Books from this collection are quite scarce on the market.
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Size: 225 x 351 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[(1), a⁸, ē⁸, a–z⁸, A⁸, B–C⁶, AA–HH⁸, II–LL⁶, (1)]
Collated as complete, including original blanks. Contemporary full calf binding, probably French. Binding rubbed, some worming to front board, loss to leather, including much of the backstrip, some extant leather of the backstrip partially detached. Front board detached with joints split. Rear board attached, fragile, circa 14th/15th century Latin vellum MS binder's waste visible at hinges and under the pastedowns of both boards. First quire detached, next two loose, all extant. Generally very bright and clean through the text block, very sporadic marginalia. Small worm track in bottom right corner to a few leaves, not touching text. Several ownership inscriptions to front blank and pastedown, bookplate to front pastedown.
A nice copy in a contemporary binding with interesting provenance.
[Adams K15].
