Historica narratio profectionis et inaugurationis serenissimorum Belgii Principium Alberti et Isabellae, Austriae Archiducum; et eorum optatissimi in Belgium adventus.

Folio: 500-[12] pp. (normal toning, tiny burning hole affecting a few letters in p2, pp. 207-208 bound before p. 203, quire r bound before q).

Contemp. vellum, covers with double blind-stamped border, flat spine titled in ink (sl. soiled). Good, clean copy.

First and only edition of one of the most sumptuous festivity books printed at the Plantin Press. Splendidly illustrated record of the triumphal entries of the newly-wed archdukes Albert of Austria and his bride Infanta Isabella of Spain into Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and Valenciennes in 1599. Bochius (1555-1609) was town clerk of Antwerp. The accounts of the Antwerp and Brussels entry are his own, whereas the account of the festivities in Ghent is written by Max. Vrientius and the entry into Valenciennes is by Henricus d'Outreman. All authors give detailed information of the festivities, the festival architecture, the floats, and illuminations and fireworks in the evening; and explain in detail the emblematic and allegorical decorations. With 2 pages of musical notation, an elaborate engr. architectural title, incorporating fine portraits of Archdukes Albert and Isabella, 3 further engr. section titles, 2 architectural, all elaborate, 1 incorporating a view of Antwerp, another a view of Ghent, and 28 engr. plates (incl. 15 double-page) by Pieter van der Borcht (a pupil of Pieter Bruegel), the drawings variously attributed to Otto Vaenius, Joost de Momper or van der Borcht himself, last leaf with large woodcut device of Plantin. Only 775 copies of this book were printed.
Ref. Imhof (Moretus) B-44. - Landwehr (Splendid ceremonies) 62. - Berlin Kat. 2945. - Lipperheide 2657 (Sd14). - Simoni (BL London) B-195. - STCV.
Prov. Ms. note on front flyleaf.