PIERRE DE BLOIS Epistolae.

Goff, P-456; Hain-Copinger, 3240; Pellechet, 2418; Polain, 3088; Oates, 3860; Proctor, 9338; BMC, IX, 174, CIBN P-220; GW M-32107.

First edition of this rare book printed by the only established printing shop in Brussels in the 15th century.

Important collection of 207 letters of high-ranking personalities (kings, popes or other historic figures) concerning events of that period. They include many details on the reigns of Kings Henri II and Richard I and are an important source for cultural and literary history of England, Sicily and France.

French theologian of the twelfth century, Pierre de Blois, whose political and literary fame had spread throughout Europe, played a leading role in the service of Eleanor of Aquitaine and the English king Henry II, who entrusted him with several important negotiations with the king of France and the Holy See. His output in the epistolary genre was amazing: he claimed to be able, while dictating three letters to secretaries, to be writing a fourth. Run by the Brethren of the Common life, Brussels proto-typographers, this printshop was active since the early 1475, while continuing the production of manuscripts. The office produced 36 volumes, all of greatest rarity, including 20 undated, about ten indicating Brussels as the place of printing, and only one with a complete bibliographical address.

The ornaments of this copy include a large initial at the beginning of the text, and numerous smaller initials in red. The text is entirely rubricated. ISTC locates only 3 institutional copies in the United States (Boston Public, Bridwell Library, and Yale).

A very well preserved and broad margined copy of this important Belgian incunable.