Francois 1er (Le Roi Chevalier)

Paris: Boivin & Cie, 1909. 1st Edition. Cloth. Very Good. Toudouze, G. Gustave. Folio, 37 by 30 cm. 80, [2] pp. Charismatic color illustrated front cover, with lavish use of gilt impressed into cloth, and rich greens and reds of king's costume such as one would find in a painting of the early Renaissance. Lavish color illustrations, generally full page every other page, by Robida, of the larger-than-life Gallic Renaissance king, remembered for waging war nearly non-stop, for having welcomed Leonardo da Vinci to his protection, for having acquired the Mona Lisa from da Vinci, and perhaps most of all, as an ambitious builder, most notably, of Chambord, (truncated) the immense palatial confection that is a riot of towers, crockets and turrets in the Loire Valley, and also the largest royal palace, based on square footage, in France -- larger than Versailles based on this criterion. Condition: Light soiling of the gray cloth here and there, especially by rear joint. Some cloth blistering, most pronounced by front joint. A tiny pinprick hole of cloth, rear cover. Perhaps a slight shake to the text block's adherence to the binding. Moderate age toning to the leaves. (Inventory #: 007557)