HILLESHEIM (Louis). - Lot 43

HILLESHEIM (Louis). Sacrarum antiquitatum monumenta. Patriarcharum, Regum, Prophetarum, & virorum vere illustrium veteris Testamenti, Imaginibus & Elogiis apparata atque inscripta. Anvers : Christophe Plantin, 1577. - In-8, 160 x 106 : (8 ff.), 95 pp. Dark blue morocco, double cold fillet framing the boards, ribbed spine decorated with cold fillets, interior gilt roulette, gilt edges (Duru 1852). Posthumous first edition of this remarkable book printed by Christophe Plantin. It is an imitation of Arias Montanus' Humanae salutis monumenta published in 1571, featuring images and eulogies of the patriarchs, kings, prophets and illustrious men of the Old Testament. It was written by Louis Hillesheim (1514?-1575), humanist and mayor of Andernach. The edition is illustrated with a fine full-page portrait of the author and 39 large copper-engraved figures bearing the names or monograms of painters and engravers Jean Sadeler (1550-1600), Abraham de Bruyn (1540?-1587), Crispijn Van den Broeck (1524?-1591?) and Pieter Van der Borcht (1545-1608). After the preface are poems by Johannes Latomus (1523-1578), Hieronymus Berchemius, rector of the Andernach school, and two by an unspecified author on the death of Hillessemius. Beautiful copy bound by Duru in 1852 for the Lille collector Van der Helle, whose rich library was dispersed in 1868. Small wear rubs to spine and corners, slight discoloration to boards. Provenance: Van der Helle, with bookplate (sale 1868, no. 327). - Visiting card from Jules Mossé, deputy head of the cabinet of the Minister of the Interior, with autograph note addressed to a friend to whom he offered this "venerable book, bound by the illustrious Duru". The name of the recipient is not mentioned.