[CLEIRAC (Estienne)] - Lot 416

[CLEIRAC (Estienne)] Les us et coutumes de la Mer. Divided into three parts. I. De la navigation. II. Du commerce naval, & contrats maritimes. III. De la juridiction de la Marine. Avec un traité des termes de marine, règlemens de la navigation des fleuves & rivières ; et les nouveaux édits, règlemens, arrests & jugemens rendus sur le fait du commerce de la mer. Bordeaux, Millanges, 1661. (Followed by) Explication des termes de Marine employez par les édicts, ordonnances et règlemens de l'Amirauté. Bourdeaux, Millanges, 1660. 2 works in one volume in-4: 6f., 614pp. - 77pp. Copy slightly short of margins. ½ 19th century brown chagrin, gilt title and fillets on lightened spine. The work deals with ancient maritime laws, and also contains a comprehensive treatise on whaling and several mentions of Basque fishermen. In two curious chapters devoted to his Basque compatriots (Expédition ou Voyage des Basques dans la mer de Groetland, and Première découverte de l'Amérique par les Basques), the author asserts that the Basques discovered Newfoundland and Canada a hundred years before Columbus, and that it was a Newfoundland pilot who revealed their existence to him. Not in Vinson (Labadie 254 and 255). Provenance: Manuscript bookplate "Marquadus" on title page. Marquadus was a jurisconsult and magistrate from Subeck in the 17th century. He was the author of the work entitled "De jure Mercatorum", in which he neatly summarizes all aspects of maritime law. This book may have come from the Lavau-Gayon library of des Chandeliers de Lapigeonnières, all of whom were naval officers in the 18th century. Printed bookplate Octave Gauban d'Aspit de Saint Amand.