FRANÇOIS DE SALES Saint. Introduction to... - Lot 31 - Audap & Associés

FRANÇOIS DE SALES Saint. Introduction to the Devout Life. By François de Sales, bishop of Geneva. Fourth edition in which everything has been revised, corrected and increased by the author. Paris, de l'imprimerie des nouveaux caractères inventez par Pierre Moreau par F. Rouvelin, 1644; in-8 of [2] ff. 794 p., old blue morocco binding, spine with four ornamented faux-nerfs, inner lace and gilt edges (Bound by C. Smith). PRINTED WITH ELEGANT CHARACTERS IMITATING THE HANDWRITING OF THE PERIOD. A former clerk at the Finances, Moreau had obtained several patents and privileges from the King to have this typeface engraved and used. But he had to suffer persecution from the community of booksellers. A ruling in 1648 forbade him to practice. Stanley Morison ("Les caractères de l'écriture dans la typographie") cites only eleven works issued from this press and did not know this one, which is cited only by Brunet's Supplement where it is said to be rare. EXAMPLE OF WILLIAM BECKFORD, the author of the oriental tale Vathek, who has enclosed an engraved and folded portrait and a facsimile of a letter from François de Sales.