Flores seraphici ex amoenis Annalium hortis [...] Zachariae Bouerij [...] collecti, sive Icones, vitae et gesta virorum illustrium (qui ab Anno 1525. usque ad annum 1580. [...] miraculis, ac vitae sanctimonia claruere) compendiose descripta.

2 parts in one vol., folio: [14]-71-[1]-447-[21], [16]-48-806-[24] pp. (errors in pagination, tear in p. 141 of the first part repaired with tape and underlaid, some dampstaining on upper margins, some browning).

Contemp. mottled calf over wood, gilt orn. spine with 5 raised bands, red leather title label, marbled endpapers (upper joint starting to split, min. def. at tail, some staining on upper side of upper cover, some scratches and rubbings). Nice, massive copy.

First edition by Brother Carolus d’Arenberg (Brussels 1593-1669) of biographies of Capuchin and other Franciscan authors and "saints" 1525-1580, mainly taken from the writings of Zaccaria Boverio (1568-1638). Ill. with two engr. titles, one part-title (within floral border) and 190 full-page engr. (complete) showing mostly portraits of famous Capuchin fathers, 2 also showing a view of Cologne. Veneration of the Virgin with a view of Cologne on p. [14]. Pp. 86-92 on the Flemish Franciscus Titelmans (Hasselt 1502-1537), with his portrait. In Pt. II some information on Capuchin missionaries in America. The author, Brother Carolus, the religious name of Anton d'Arenberg, was the 5th son of Charles d'Arenberg (1550-1616, 2nd Prince of Arenberg) and Anne de Croÿ. He entered the Capuchin monastery of Leuven in 1616, to become a gifted theologian, writer and even architect (he designed the Capuchin monasteries of Tervuren and Brussels, and the famous gardens of the Parc d'Enghien). Printed within ruled borders.
Ref. VD17 14:675298V (I) & 12:118487Z (II). - BCNI 9305. - STC German 1601-1700 (BL) B-1943.
Prov. Princess Eleonora Ursula van Arenberg (1845-1919), daughter of Ernst van Arenberg, who married Englebert-August van Arenberg in 1868 (ms entry). - Stamps (deleted).