BOSSUET (Jacques-Bénigne). Politics Derived from the Very Wo - Lot 64

BOSSUET (Jacques-Bénigne). Politics Derived from the Very Words of Holy Scripture. To His Grace the Dauphin. Paris, Pierre Cot, 1709. In-4 (276 x 211 mm), contemporary red morocco binding, triple gilt fillet on the covers with a coat of arms in the center, richly decorated ribbed spine with coats of arms in each panel. First edition. Portrait of Bossuet after Hyacinthe Rigaud, engraved by Edelinck. This work, in which Bossuet instructs nations and kings on their duties according to the authority and words of the Bible, is divided into two parts consisting of six and four books, respectively. “Only the first part was used for the education of the Dauphin, for whom it was written in 1677–1678, and the second part was not composed until 1700 and 1701” (Bourseaud). Left unfinished, the work was completed and published after Bossuet’s death (August 17, 1703) by his nephew, Abbé Bossuet. A fine copy on large-format paper bearing the coat of arms of Pope Clement XI (Gianfrancesco Albani, 1649–1721, elected pope in 1700). This “enlightened collector and patron,” according to the title of an exhibition dedicated to him in Rome in 2017, is best known for the famous papal bull *Unigenitus*, which, in 1713, condemned Jansenism. The portrait, which is often missing, is present here. Minor foxing on a few leaves. Copy cited by Brunet, from the Libri auction (1859, sold for 4 livres 12 shillings). Also from the Guyot de Villeneuve Library (I, 1900, no. 129). Acquired by Émile Rossignol in 1968.

Estimate:£5,113.41

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