Estienne, H. Traicte de la conformité du langage François auec le Grec. Avec une preface remonstrant quelque partie du desordre et abus qui se commet aujourdhuy en l'usage de la langue Françoise. (Genf), H. Estienne, (1565). (17,5:11 cm). Mit Holzschnitt-Druckermarke auf dem Titel. 16 Bll., 159 S. Hellbrauner Kalblederband d. 19. Jh. mit Rückenschild, etwas Rückenvergoldung, dreifachen Deckelfileten, Steh- und Innenkantenvergoldung und Goldschnitt (sign.: Thouvenin); gering berieben, Leder am vorderen Gelenk leicht brüchig.

Cioranesco 9604; Schreiber 156; Renouard, Estienne 125, 5. - Erste Ausgabe. Selten. "Henri Estienne's first work written in the vernacular, and one of the classics of Franch 16th-century prose. It is the first work in Henri's trilogy on the defense and glorification of the French language. In the present work Henri claims the superiority of French over all other languages, except Greek, which, according to him, is the most perfect language and which French most resembles. Henri Estienne's French works have placed him among the greatest French prose writers of the Renaissance; according to Charles Nodier, he is 'le premier et le plus national de nos prosateurs du seizième siècle, après Rabelais et Montaigne.' This first edition is very rare and contains passages (e.g. against the Pope) which were supressed from the second edition, printed four years later by Henri's brother, Robert II. Henri's preface to Henri de Mesmes contains several interesting autobiographical details, including his sorrow over the recent death of his (first) wife, Marguerite Pillot" (Schreiber). - Schwach gebräunt und gering stockfleckig, im Kopfsteg stellenweise mit kleinem Wasserfleck, Titel mit kl. Namenszug in Tinte. Die unbedruckte Verso-Seite des letzten Blatts mit zeitgenössischem Zusatz (31 Zeilen) in feiner französischer Kursive.

First edition. Scarce. - Minor tanning and foxing, small water stain to upper margin, owners name in int to title page. Extensive contemp. annotations in French to last blank page. Bound in full-calf, signed "Thouvenin", spine with title-piece, tripple fillet borders, edges of boards, inner dentelles and edges gilt.