L'olive et quelques autres oeuvres poeticques [...] Vers lyriques. Par I.D.B.A.

8vo: [40] ff. (unobtrusive old ms. annotations on D 6 & 7).

Bordeaux morocco signed A. Lobstein, blind rule on covers, spine with 5 raised bands, gilt top. Leather-edge slipcase. Very good copy.

Very rare first edition of a collection of amorous sonnets written by Du Bellay (1522?-1560) in close imitation of Petrarch and forming the first significant sonnet collection in French. Contains "Cinquante sonnetz à la louange de l'Olive", "L'Anterotique de la vieille, & de la jeune Amye" and "Vers Lyriques"; with also a Latin poem by Jean Dorat. Printed in italics except "Au lecteur" and privilege dated 20/3/1548. An edition enlarged to 115 sonnets was published in 1550.
Ref. BP16 113525. - Tchemerzine/Scheler III:43. - Cioranesco 8314.- BnF. - Not in COPAC.