Historia Strenarvm.
Paris, É. Prevosteau 1596.
Half-sheet 8vo (169 x 108 mm.). 72p.
Contemporary gilt-ruled vellum over soft paper boards, gilt oval medallion of the Crucifixion on the front panel and of the Annunciation on the rear, gilt-ruled flat spine with lilies and an early manuscript title (faded), all edges gilt; text ruled in red.
First Edition and apparently the second printed book on New Year’s Day gift-giving. Is it a pagan ritual condemned by the Church or an innocent Christian practice sanctioned by Scripture? I have found two copies in the U.S. In excellent condition (two blank corners slightly defective); from the libraries of the Jesuit Collège de Clermont at Paris (inscription), Hippolyte Destailleur (Catalogue (1891) 2002 “Very beautiful copy”, tr.) and Francis Kettaneh (1897-1976), bookticket of CL.
¶Peignot, “Petite bibliothèque xéniographique” in Opuscules ed. Milsand 97-181, esp. 98,IV “sought after” (tr.).
Price: $4,800.00