- 427
Martial d'Auvergne
Description
Folio. Text in 2 columsn, 1 full-page woodcut of an accouchement, 11 half-page cuts including 4 repeats, of which 2 comprise 2 scenes, 28 column-width cuts including 17 repeats, 3 small cuts, title printed in red and black, small woodcut lombard initials, woodcut device of Eustace at end. Full crushed maroon morocco, triple gilt fillets, back gilt with small floral tool in compartments, gilt dentelles, edges gilt.
Provenance
Jean Pierre Larcher of Sens (bookplate) — Constantin Radoulesco (stamps) — Otto Schäfer (monogram)
Literature
Renouard-Moreau 1505.1328; Fairfax Murray 358; Brun, p. 247; Pollard, Morgan, 563
Catalogue Note
Third edition, bearing the Eustace device as opposed to that of Durant Gerlier which is found, for example, in the Fairfax Murray copy. Davies provides a detailed history of the cuts which derive from earlier Parisian and Lyonnaise editions. Very few books printed by Bouchier are known, and most are undated. For example Renouard-Moreau lists only four titles under his name for the period 1501-1510.
The text, entirely in verse, was written to honor the exploits of Charles VII (1403-1461). There are accounts of many battles with the English and the triumph of Joan of Arc at Orleans, followed by her capture by the English and execution in Rouen.