Martinus Polonus

8vo (161 x 114mm.), woodcut printer's device on title-page, early seventeenth-century calf decorated with a design of leaves and balls printed in sepia and coloured in yellow, green and orange, arms of Jacques-Auguste de Thou (Olivier pl.216/8) on covers, spine gilt in compartments with de Thou's IAGG monogram, slightly browned

Jacques-Auguste de Thou (1553-1617), armorial binding; Rohan-Soubise library, shelfmark on pastedown; Law Society, armorial bookplate

Adams M744; Voet 1642; for examples of this unusual binding technique in de Thou's collection see Yves Devaux, Six siècles de reliure (Paris, 1977), p.102

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

From the library of the French diplomat and historian Jacques-Auguste de Thou. For another de Thou binding, see lot 51.

Martin of Opava, also known as Martin of Poland, was a thirteenth-century Dominican friar whose Chronicon was enormously influential. Plantin's 1574 edition retains the innovative layout of early manuscript copies, with the histories of popes and of temporal rulers printed in two separate but chronologically synchronised columns.