RABELAIS François Les Epistres escrites pendant son voyage d’Italie, nouvellement mises en lumière. Avec des observations historiques. Et l’abrégé de la vie de l’autheur [par messieurs de Sainte Marthe].

Brunet, IV, 1065; Plan, p. 236: XVI; not in Rawles & Screetch.

First edition of these three letters written by Rabelais during his stay in Rome to Godefroy d’Estissac, Bishop of Maillezais. They are published and enriched with observations by the brothers Scévole and Louis de Sainte-Marthe, divided into sixteen epistles.

This edition begins with Rabelais’s letters, followed by an exhaustive table, to which commentaries and a table are added. The Life of Rabelais which precedes them is attributed to Pierre Du Puy. The remarkable title-frontispiece, designed and engraved by François Chauveau, depicts Rabelais at his work table. At the beginning of the text is the woodcut coat of arms of Godefroy d’Estissac. 

Copy complete with errata page. 

Title truncated in the upper white margin.