[L'instruction du roy en l'exercice de monter à cheval].

Folio: [2]-3/192 pp.; 40 pl. (title, front., pp. 1-2, 23-24, 103-104, 143-150, 179-180, 193-207, "Table des figures", portraits of Pluvinel, Louis XIII and Roger de Bellegarde, table of contents and dedication to the King missing; dampstaining and soiling throughout, tears in pl. touching the engr., several pl. missing parts of the engr., some parts of the pl. underl.).

Contemp. calf (corners, covers and sides rubbed and def.), gilt orn. spine with 5 raised bands (joints, bands, head and tail def.), marbled endpapers. Sold w.a.f.

First edition of Pluvinel's famous work on horse riding with the title "L'instruction du Roy", and with the revised and augmented text by René de Menou, "sieur de Charnizay", friend and pupil of Pluvinel. "The French poem beneath the portrait of Menou by Crispijn de Passe Jr. states that although de Pluvinel deserves all the credit for having made the book possible, eternal renown is due to Menou because he was the driving force behind this (second) edition" (Dejager). Ill. with an engr. portr. of Menou (missing in the Dejager's copy) and 40 (of 60) engr. double-page pl.
Ref. Mennessier de La Lance II:326-329. - Dejager 166. - Nissen 3200. - Brunet IV:749. - BnF.
Prov. Ms. ownership entry on privilege.