[MERCURE FRANCOIS]

£12,500 · Offered by Sokol Books

A uniform, remarkably well-preserved set comprising the first 24 vols of the Mercure françois the earliest printed (and illustrated) newspaper in France. This work is an annual register of occurrences, and gives the first published account of the voyages of Champlain, and of the establishment of the Jesuits in Canada (Sabin). Very rarely found as a substantial, uniform set. First published in 1611 by Jean and Estienne Richer, the journal sought to prevent a return to civil war following Henri IV s assassination by supporting the monarchy and teaching virtuous behaviour through the example of recent history. the journal rapidly became a pillar of monarchical propaganda, its publication following an annual to biennial rhythm until its cessation in 1648. After 1638, it was managed by Richelieu s associate, Th éophraste Renaudot . Each thousand-page volume reported on wide-ranging domestic and foreign affairs, typically spanning two or three years, [including] much original material. A table of contents and copious marginal notes guided readers through the dense information within (Paton, p.1). Often illustrated with engraved folding bird s-eye views or maps of (mostly French) battlefields and fortified cities, the articles were devoted to French domestic politics, e.g., battles, treaties, diplomatic visits, and so on, as well as international relations and events (e.g., Prince Charles of England s visit to the Infanta of Spain in 1623, battles in the Ottoman Empire and Northern

• Binding: Hardcover

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.