Les Gymnopodes, Ov La Nvdité Des Pieds.
Paris, “at the sign of the Olive” [?=S. Chappelet] 1624.
Large Paper 4to (283 x 212 mm.). [vi], 326 [r. 366], [10], [2 blank]p. ENGRAVED BUST PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR, title in red and black.
Contemporary vellum over soft paper boards (soiled, top endband loose), somewhat later gilt red morocco label.
First Edition of this legal burlesque on bare feet. Marshaling art, philology, religion, medicine, natural history and literature, Rouillard presents arguments both for and against the Franciscan prohibition on footwear, citing pre-Socratic philosophers, Homer, notable barefooters, popes, Aristotle, the naked sages of India…. He closes with three poems (two in both French and Latin versions). In nice condition (pale stain on title, some minor spots); ex dono authoris in bold manuscript on the rear flyleaf, purchase note dated 1732 on the front pastedown. (N.B. In this bookshop, bare feet are encouraged.)
¶Cicognara, Catalogo ragionato dei libri d’arte e d’antichità 1786; Krivatsy, A Catalogue of Seventeenth Century Printed Books in the National Library of Medicine 9985; Caillet, Manuel bibliographique des sciences psychiques ou occultes III: 9636; Cioranescu 60397.
Price: $5,500.00