[Heraldry] Menstrier, Claude Francois:

Abbrege methodiqve des principes heraldiqves; ou Du veritable art du blason

      Lyon: Benoist Coral, A. dv Perier. 1661. Title on the frontispiece (with heraldic illustrations): "Methode abbregee des principes heraldiqves Ou la maniere d'appredre aysement le Blason". - 24mo. - (30),111,9 pp., plus 11 plates (one double-page). - In French. - Contemporary calf, with gilt borders on the front and back covers, and with 4 bands on the spine. (Approximately 1 cm of the top of the spine is missing; P. 89/90 with some loss of text on upper corner, on P. 91/92 corner is missing without loss of text; else very good). - Title-page vignette and 11 engraved plates. The double-page plate shows the coronation of Charles I, King of Naples and Sicily, in 1265. The 9 heraldic plates display altogether 292 French coats of arms (some additional coats of arms are in the text). - Quite rare: OCLC locates only 3 copies (2 in the U.S.: Harvard and the New England Historic Geneological Society). - Graesse IV, 487 (with 1665 as the year of publication). - Shelf No.: o/aa 123.