A Aix, chez Esprit David, 1777.
In-12, 1 portrait, 220 pp., ii pp., 13 folding plates. Preserved in its original paper covers as issued, uncut with full margins, some wear to the spine. Contemporary pamphlet binding.
188 x 110 mm.
First edition of this curious work on the festivals instituted under the reign of king René. Their origin dates back to around the year 1462; they gave rise to games, processions, jousts, tournaments, etc…
E. Rouard, Notice sur la bibliothèque d’Aix dite de Méjanes, p. 53; G. Mourey, Le livre des fêtes françaises, 284, 286-8; Jacques Billiord, Le livre en Provence du XVIe au XVIIIe siècle, pp. 17, 103;
Vinet, 819; Cohen-De Ricci 367-368; Lipperheide Sl 20; Rümann 859.
Complete copy with the 12 folding etched plates with legends in Provençal, these highly picturesque figures are drawn and engraved by P. and G. Grégoire (sons of the author), who were the inventors of painting on velvet, with the engraved music plate (march of the Lieutenant of the Prince, airs of the Queen of Sheba, the chevaux frux (sic) of the passade, the night watch) and the frontispiece portrait of king René of Anjou by G. Grégoire, making a total of 14 illustrations. (Barbier, vol. 2, col. 378).
“This work is by Gaspard Grégoire, native of Aix. The illustrations were drawn by Paul Grégoire, one of his sons, and engraved by Gaspard, brother of Paul. It is these two sons, the Grégoire brothers, who were the inventors of painting on velvet.” (Barbier, Anonymes, III, 378).
“Instituted by King René [titular King of Naples (1435–1480)], the Corpus Christi Festival is one of the most popular, most original, and most picturesque of all festivals in Provence; it is at Aix that it was always held, and was celebrated with the greatest enthusiasm and magnificence; its naive rites were always observed with the greatest respect. It was originally a tournament, opening on the Monday of Pentecost by the nomination of officers or knights of which the principal ones were the Lieutenant of the Prince of Love, the Abbot of the City, and the King of La Basoche; it lasted until the Saturday after the Corpus Christi Festival” (Mour).
The interest in this book is such that a facsimile was produced in Marseille in 1978.
Rare copy preserved in its original wrappers as issued, uncut with full margins.
The NUC contains an entry for an edition of 1773 at the Detroit Institute of Arts and two other locations. Upon inspection, this has been found to be a ghost.
