AUBIGNÉ (Théodore Agrippa d') - Lot 366

AUBIGNÉ (Théodore Agrippa d') Histoire universelle du sieur d'Aubigné, Dedicated to posterity. Maillé (the author), Moussat, 1616-20. 3 volumes in folio: 365pp. 14f. / 489pp. 7f. / 549pp. 7f. Pagination errors, small holes and worm marks in margins of volume III. Contemporary granite-brown calf, spine ribbed and decorated, headpieces restored, spine ends cracked, rubbing to the nerves, triple gilt fillet framing the boards, minor spotting, gilt roulette on the edges, red edges. First edition. "Written with great freedom, the work contains many curious facts witnessed by the author, but as soon as it was printed, a sentence of January 2, 1620 condemned the work to be burned by the hand of the executioner, so that copies have become rare. Indeed, "the history contained several things that are against the State and the honor of kings Charles IX, Henri II, Henry IV, queens, princes and other lords of the Kingdom" (Brunet). Agrippa d'Aubigné fought under the flags of the Prince de Condé, soon after joined the cause of the King of Navarre, and only laid down his sword after the dissolution of the League and the accession of Henry IV, whom he served with absolute devotion. Retired to Maillé after the death of Henri IV, d'Aubigné set up a printing works in his château; all his verve and satirical freedom are to be found in these precious memoirs, which cover historical events from 1550 to 1601 (Brunet I, 545)(Tchemerzine I, 163-164).