Histoire de Théodose le Grand, Pour Monseigneur le Dauphin

Paris: Chez Sébastien Mabre-Cramoisy, Imprimeur du Roy, 1679.

4to. 10 3/8 x 7 3/4 inches. [*] A-Z4 Aa-Zz4 AAa-ZZz4, AAaa2. [ii], 535, [21, last two pages blank] pp. Title page with engraved printer's device, 6 engraved tailpieces, 4 engraved headpieces, 4 typographic headpieces, 3 engraved initials, table of contents, Extract du Privilege du Roy; text is unmarked, ink stains in the margin and gutter of pages 10 and 11. Full contemporary brown calf, 5 raised bands, 5 compartments decorated in gilt, leather spine label titled in gilt, edges speckled red; binding square and tight, rubbed, corners softened, rear upper corner showing through, foot of spine chipped, head of spine softened, hinges starting to crack. Inscription "A Monsieur de la Moussaye de la Ville Guerif" inked on front free end-paper. DB722-008. Very Good.

FIRST EDITION of this biography of Theodosius I (347-395). Fléchier's biography was meant to be a guide book to shape the life of Louis, le Grand Dauphin (1661-1711), who Fléchier had been appointed to tutor. During his reign Theodosius succeeded in a war against the Goths, two civil wars, and consolidated Imperial Christian doctrine with the Nicaean Creed. He was the last emperor to rule the entire Roman Empire before the permanent division of imperial administration between east and west. Louis XIV had similar aspirations for his eldest son, Louis. Fléchier had recently gained notice at the Court through his preaching and writing; Fléchier would later become the bishop of Nîmes. Fléchier was a member of the French Academy (1673). As tutor to the heir apparent of the French throne, Fléchier hoped to impart to the son the attributes of the former Roman Emperor; instead, the Grand Dauphin was known for his having inherited his mother's docility and low intelligence. Nevertheless, this book should be noted for its publisher, Sébastien Mabre-Cramoisy, printer to the King (Imprimerie Royale). Sébastien Mabre-Cramoisy was the descendant of noted French printers Sébastien Nivelle and Sébastien Cramoisy. Sébastien Cramoisy had two sons, but neither produced heirs, so his grandson, Sébastien Mabre Cramoisy, inherited the family printing business and operated it from the magnificent family residence in the Rue St. Jacques. Sébastien Mabre-Cramoisy's printing features the engraved printer's device on the title page, engraved header images, and decorated initial letters at the start of most sections, which was typical of the books he produced as Printer to the King. The last section of the text here is an extract of the privilège du Roi to print this work. The work proved popular and went through many editions in many formats.

PROVENANCE: the gift inscription on the front free end-paper does not include a date or a personal name, thus it is impossible to identify precisely which member of the French noble family that can be traced from the thirteenth century to the early nineteenth owned this volume.

REFERENCES: Brunet, Manuel du Libraire, Vol. II, No. 22983 for the 1681 ed. in 12mo, but Burnet prefers the 4to edition of 1679, as offered here; Graesse, Trésor de Livres Rares et Précieux, 1869, Vol. II, p. 594.