PHILOSTRATE De la Vie d’Apollonius Thianeen par B. de VIGENERE, BOURBONNOIS, Chez Abel L’Angellier, a Paris, M.D.XCIX (1599). First Blaise de Vigenère edition, in 8vo, p. ff. [4], 299. With an engraved vignette profile of Apollonius of Tyana on the title page. Text is decorated with woodcut initials.

This is the first French edition of Flavius Philostratus s biography of Apollonius of Tyana, a first century CE neo-Pythagorean philosopher and wandering mystic. Apollonius s extensive travels to Nineveh, Babylon and India are described as well as his studies with the Magi and the Brahmans. Apollonius was renowned for his prophesying and healing powers. In Rome he supposedly raised the body of a noble woman from the dead. Many supernatural stories are recorded concerning wizards, demons and spirits i.e. in Corinth Apollonius saved his friend Menippus from marrying a demoness (empusa). Utilizing surviving sources, Philostratus produced his work at the request of Julia, wife to the Roman emperor Septimius Severus (ruled 193-211 ce). Although Apollonius is mentioned by several ancient authors, Philostratus s work remains the only surviving full biography. Translated from the Greek (into French) by Blaise de Vigenère (1523-1596), a French diplomat, cryptographer, alchemist and translator.

Bound in original full period calf with a gilt oval medallion center piece stamped on both front and rear covers. Re-backed preserving large portions of the original spine. The binding is well rubbed and shows lumpiness, discoloration and general wear. The leather contains areas of modern restoration and patching; the corner tips of the boards are carefully repaired. The gilt border lines (running along the edges of the front and rear covers) are also partially restored. Interior pages are generally clean but show occasional light spotting and toning; some periodic minor worming in the lower and inner margins is also present. The inside front cover displays the book plate of bibliographer Roger de Quiriele (1848-1924).

Uncommon edition. [BM STC French, p. 350; Cioranesco 21751; Not in Adams. Caillet, De Guaita, Dorbon-Aine and Schweiger only mention the 1611 edition].