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With: LA SERRE, Jean Puget de. Les Douces Pensees de la Mort. Brussels, François Vivien, 1631. 2 works in one volume. 8vo. (I): (8)ff + 304pp. With extra engraved frontispiece title and 7 engraved plates included in pagination engraved by Peeter de Jode, Cornelius Galle, Ph. de Mallery and Egid. van Schoor after N van der Horst, several large ornamental woodcut initials, head- and tail-pieces. Allegorical printer's woodcut device on title (the good shepherd with sheep). (II) (8)ff + 199 + (3)pp. With extra engraved frontispiece title and 6 engraved plates included in pagination by Cornelius Galle (4 signed) after N van der Horst, 17 large floral woodcut initials, some 15 ornamental head-pieces. Allegorical printer's woodcut device on title (the good shepherd with sheep). Morocco-backed marbled boards, gilt spine compartments with label. (I) Breviary for courtiers, divided into seven chapters according to the hours of the day - matins to compline - with a final 'meditation tres-importante, pour faire profit de la lecture de ce Brevière'. The fine engravings illustrate lively scenes of entertainment and pleasure in the courtier's life, contrasted above with episodes from the passion of Christ, each illustrating a time of prayer - Matins, Prime, Tierce, Sexte, None, Vespers and Compline. These are beautifully engraved to show details of contemporary life - costumes, musicians, outdoor feasting, utensils - the plate illustrating Tierce shows a courtier having his hair trimmed and combed while a page holds up a mirror - the parallel register shows Christ's crown of thorns being adjusted by two soldiers with a wrench, his eyes are averted from the mirror held up by a crook-backed attendant. For Vespers an elaborate al fresco feast is contrasted to Christ on the cross taunted with a vinegar sponge. The additional full-page engraved title shows St Anthony reading a copy of the Breviary. (II) The thoughts on death in thirteen chapters include meditations on the tombs of Alexander, Solomon, Croesus and Helen, symbolising the passing of bravery, wisdom, wealth and beauty - illustrated strikingly in one plate. There is a fine portrait of the author, crown imperial blooms decorate the fabric of his sleeve echoed in the ornamental capitals. The additional engraved title shows St Francis reading Les Douces Pensees. The first work is the second edition (first published 1630 - BL1607/112), the second work is the fourth edition revised, corrected and augmented with a table of contents (BL 4402.dd.19). The latter was translated into English as "The sweete thoughts of death, and eternity" (1632) and is an example of English recusant literature. The Breviary is dedicated to Charles XV of Liechtenstein (r.1627 - 1684) , Les Douces Pensees to Le Marquis de St Remy, First Chamberlain to Gaston d'Orleans, brother of Louis XIII to whom the author was librarian. Puget de la Serre (1600-1665) subsequently became 'historiographe de France' and a royal counsellor. (SEE ILLUSTRATION).
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