Lot 08063

ERASMUS, HOLBEIN Hans (ill.), GUEUDEVILLE Nicolas (transl.) “Léloge de la folie composé en forme de déclamation par Erasme et traduit par Mr. Gueudeville avec les notes de Gérard Listre & les belles figures de HOLBEIN, nouvelle edition”, Amsterdam, François l’Honoré, 1731.

12mo, [22], 234, [18]. COMPLETE (collated with the copy of the University of Lausanne), including 84 in total copper engravings: a frontispiece, printer’s device on title page, 1 full-page engraving (portraits of Erasmus, Thomas More and Holbein), 6 folding plates and 75 plates in text.

Erasmus’s “In Praise of Folly” (Latin: Stultitiae Laus or Moriae Encomium), was written in 1509 and first printed in June 1511. This influential work that deals with various traditions and superstitions of the European society and Church was illustrated by the great German – Swiss painter and printmaker Hans Holbein that provided this allegorical / grotesque character to the final printed output.  

Fine 19th century binding by “C. Chapalain” (stamped in gilt at foot of front turn-in): Dark blue dyed full Morocco, spine divided in 7 panels tooled in gilt with floral designs, covers paneled in gilt, richly decorated in gilt turn-ins. Very lightly toned, otherwise in Very fine condition.  Fine ex-libris label in gilt “Βιβλιοθήκη Σπ. Λοβέρδου”.