Livre des Essais [...] divisé en deux parties. Derniere edition augmentee de deux tables tres amples [...].

8vo: [44]-829-[3 bl.]-360-[22, 2 bl.] pp. (blank top corner of index f. Aa4 torn off).

Cont. overl. vellum, flat spine titled in ink (wrinkled, yapp edges def., front joint split at head, endpapers lifted, front flylvs loosening). Good copy.

5th ed. of the famous "Essais" and the 1st one published after Montaigne’s death (1592). In reality a Lyon piracy or counterfeit ed. as Montaigne’s publishing rights were protected by a royal privilege. This is also the 1st ed. with an extensive index. Title ornament. Ref. Sayce (Montaigne) 5. - Baudrier I:227. - Adams M-1621. - Pettegree FB 38224. - STC French (BL) 317. Prov. Cont. names and acquisition note (Middelburg 1598!) on front flyleaf. - Cont. Dutch note on lower flyleaf.