‘God Speaks to us in Good Books’
[JESUS CHRIST.]
Recherches curieuses et morales sur la naissance de Jesus-Christ.
Paris, Jacques le Febvre, 1684.
[bound with:] [VIRGIN MARY.] Eloge de la Sainte Vierge, tiré de ces paroles qu’elle a dites d’elle-mesme … Paris, Christophe Journel, 1683.
Two works in one vol., 12mo, pp. [14], 177, [1], with engraved frontispiece of the Nativity; [2], 43, [1 (blank)], with engraved frontispiece of the Annunciation; woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces; some light foxing and toning, small offset to first title from frontispiece; very good in contemporary red morocco, broad gilt dentelle border to covers, spine lettered and decorated in gilt with five raised bands, gilt board edges and turn-ins, gauffered edges, marbled endpapers; small loss at head of spine, some wear to corners, small loss to corner of rear free endpaper.
Rare first editions of two devotional works, with engraved frontispieces by Landry, and in an attractive contemporary binding.
The first comprises eight guided meditations on the birth of Christ, encompassing, for example, the mysteries of the incarnation; the fall of man; the simplicity of the shepherds and piety of the Magi; Mary’s meditations on the nativity; Christ’s desire to be born into poverty; Christ as saviour, master, and judge; the nativity and the Jews; the zeal of Joseph; and the purity of angels. The anonymous preface notes that ‘we speak to God through prayer, God speaks to us in good books’.
The second work, a eulogy to the Virgin Mary, carries a preface by the publisher: ‘I do not know how this work was taken from the hands of the author, but I know that it came into mine by particular good fortune. I have often witnessed how no one started the manuscript without reading it until the end, and its being read is sufficient reason for wishing to print it.’ As well as being a printer-publisher, Christophe Journel also sold presses and printing equipment.
No copies of either work traced outside France on OCLC.
