DE WITT, Henriette. Joan of Arc and the Hundred Years' War. - Lot 44

DE WITT, Henriette. Joan of Arc and the Hundred Years' War. Paris, Librairie Hachette et Cie, 1895 In-4, red half-chagrin, smooth spine adorned with title and gilt decoration, red percaline boards richly decorated with a piece of blue cloth sown with fleurs-de-lis and surmounted by two angels supporting a royal crown, ribbons stamped with Latin mottoes and four gilt heraldic coats of arms at the corners, all edges gilt. Contemporary binding. 794 pp. 1 f. (table of contents), 8 chromolithograph plates, including 1 frontispiece portrait of Charles V by Dambourges after Ronjat, 48 large compositions printed in black and 344 engravings in the text, including some at the head of chapters and in caps, ornamented initials. Slight rubbing to corners. Some foxing. First edition of this major account of Joan of Arc's epic in the context of the Hundred Years' War. Based on the medieval chronicles of Froissart, d'Aubigné and Monstrelet, it was adapted, coordinated and translated into French by Henriette de Witt. The text is accompanied by a rich iconography comprising 8 chromolithographs and numerous black & white engravings based on monuments and manuscripts of the period. A magnificent copy of this fascinating historical study of one of the greatest figures in French history.