Le Tableau De La Croix Representé. MAZOT (François).

Le Tableau De La Croix Representé dans les ceremonies de la Ste. messe ensemble le tresor de la devotion aux soufrances de Nre. S.I.C. le tout enrichi de belle figures.

Engraved title and 96 engraved pages by Jean Collins of Antwerp and others.

Small 8vo. [165 x 116 x 11 mm]. Bound c.1870 by Capé Masson-Debonnelle (signed in gilt on the front turn-in) in red goatskin, the covers tooled in gilt with a triple fillet border and double panel of triple fillets with pointed ornaments at the outer corners. The spine divided into six panels with raised bands and gilt compartments, lettered in the second and third, the others filled with small tools, the edges of the boards tooled with a gilt double fillet, the turn-ins with gilt rolls, marbled endleaves, gilt edges, pair of metal clasps at the fore-edge. Contained within a red goatskin pull-off case, with green goatskin interior, the spine lettered in gilt.
Paris: chez F. Mazot, 1651 [1653]

The final page "Extrait du Privilege du Roy" is dated 20th September 1653. Bound without the portrait of the dedicatee, Charles de l'Aubespine, and the "Avis" but this may indicate that it was an early issue. Collations for this work vary with the numeration moving from leaves to pages and thence unnumbered. In 2012 Maggs Bros offered John Evelyn's copy in contemporary red goatskin (catalogue 1461, item 49), which had 90 engraved pages, and was also without the "Avis". Brunet calls for 100 engravings, while some copies are known to hold 104.

A fine copy in a splendid and perfectly preserved binding, which is very similar in style to the Evelyn copy, including the clasps and catches. Charles François Capé (1806-1867) established his workshop at 16 rue Dauphine, Paris, in 1848, and was assisted by Germain Masson and Charles de Bonnelle, who continued to run the business after his death until 1885.

A Catholic devotional work engraved throughout, predominately with a full page plate on the verso and text with elaborated historiated borders and images of the saints on the recto. Jeanne Duportal in her Etude sur le livre à figures édites en France de 1601-1660 regards the work as highly important in revealing the characteristic tendencies of religious illustration in France at the time, The title-page and most of the illustrations are the work of Jean Collin of Rheims, a distinguished engraver who flourished c.1640-1688. In the dedication and the preface to the reader Mazot expresses the hope that both the illustrations and fine borders will please the public.

Stock no. ebc9057