Le romant de la belle Helaine de Constantinople/ mere de Sainct Martin de Tours en Touraine/ & de Sainct Brice son frere.

4to: [44] ff. (toned, a few edges expertly strengthened).

19th-c. gilt black morocco by Trautz-Bauzonnet, covers with gilt triple ruled border, richly gilt spine on 5 raised bands, gilt sides, gilt inside dentelles, marbled endpapers, red silk marker, a.e.g. Very good ruled copy.

Extr. rare popular novel, in the style of the chivalric stories, linking St Helena to the saints of early Christianity in France, Saint Martin of Tours and his successor Saint Brice. Large woodcut on title, repeated at the end. Printed in 2 cols, in gothic type. Ref. Bechtel (Gothiques) H-17. - Essling 302. - Cat. Brunschwig 425 (this copy). - Not in Pettegree FB, Adams, BP16, STC French (BL). Prov. S[ylvain] B[runschwig], Swiss lawyer practising in New York, who’s magnificent collection of early French books was sold Geneva 1955 (bookpl.). - [Georges Petit].