COMMINES (Philippe de) & GODEFROY (Denis). Les memoires - Lot 81

COMMINES (Philippe de) & GODEFROY (Denis). Les memoires de Messire Philippe de Comines, seigneur d'argenton, contenans l'histoire des roys Louys XI & Charles VIII depuis l'an 1464 jusques en 1498. Reveus & corrigez sur divers manuscrits, & anciennes impressions. Augmentez de plusieurs traictez, contacts, testaments, autres actes & de diverses observations. Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1649. In-folio, red morocco, richly decorated ribbed spine, triple gilt fillet framing the boards, gilt roulette on the edges and inside, gilt edges. New, corrected and enlarged edition by Théodore and Denis Godefroy, based on two manuscripts and on Denis Sauvage's edition printed in 1552. It is illustrated with a vignette on the title, 10 banderols, 10 lettrines, 7 large culs-de-lampe and 2 double-page genealogical tables. Superb, high-quality "Louvre" edition. (Brunet II, 191.) These memoirs are invaluable sources for French and European history. A great visionary, Comines noted and regretted the permanent antagonism between European nations, and aspired to a Europe united by Christianity. He advocated free trade, reform of the currency and system of weights and measures, and consultation of the Estates General to avoid despotism. A precious copy in contemporary morocco.