Gaguin, Robert 1433?-1501

Compendium Roberti Gaguini Super Francorum Gestis: Ab Ipso Recognitum & Auctum

      Jean Petit, Paris 1504 - Edited by Jodocus Badius Ascensius (i.e. Josse Badius 1462-1535). The title leaf is a full-page woodcut displaying St. Denis, holding his severed head and St. Remi. Between them a pillar bearing the royal arms, at their feet two stags bearing several lines of text. Twelve regional coats-of-arms decorate the borders. Includes the first published work by Desiderius Erasmus, a commendatory letter to Gaguin (originally appearing in the first edition of 1495) on the first three pages of the final five unnumbered leaves. Then follow two pages by Cornelius Gerard of Gouda, an older friend of Erasmus's monastic days; two poems by the editor; a repeat of the title woodcut; the colophon with the attractive printer's device of Jehan Petit. In a contemporary limp leather binding, elaborately tooled in gilt. Somewhat Moorish and perhaps`comparable to the Neapolitan bindings of the late 15c. A scan is available. Gilt gauffered edges. Faint traces of two missing edge ties. A dark stain has damaged a small upper section of the ffep and offset to a comparable section of the woodcut but not affecting legibility. The text and duplicate woodcut facing the colophon are intact. This edition not in British Library or Adams.