Le Tableau le la Croix

Représenté dans les ceremonies de la Sainte messe ensemble le tresor de la devotion aux de la devotion aux soufrances de N.re S.I.C. le tout enrichi de belles figures.

Paris: F. M, 1651-52.

8vo (7 x 5 ins / 174 x 116 mm); unpaginated, engraved throughout with 49 leaves incorporating pictorial title ('Advis au Lecteur' on verso), dedication, portrait of dedicatee Charles de l'Aubespine, marquis de Chateauneuf (1580-1653) by Jacob de Gheyn (c 1565-1629). 89 plates with text on 49 leaves and final privilege leaf, dated September 1652. Each individual opening includes one page with prayers in Latin and French inscribed between two saints and an opposing page delineating a specific portion of the service with a priest officiating before an altar assisted by acolytes. The particular stage of the mass is also illustrated with a corresponding episode from the Passion of Christ in the top of the image. On display, Christ's crucifixion is seen above a view of the priest reciting the Pater Noster while the facing plate includes the text of prayers situated between Saint Francis Xavier and Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

Contemp. inked inscription to front free endpaper, very occ. light soiling, handsome contemp. red morocco with elaborate gitl tooling with lobed panel of ornaments in pointillé within floral roll-tooled border and with miniature brass claps in working order. Two inch split to upper joint at head of spine, signs of light rubbing elsewhere, minimal at most, slight stain to upper board. Retained in modern drop-back box of red cloth. A stunning copy of this collection of engravings of Saints with flowers, insects, and angels, scenes from the Mass and portraits of Mary and Jesus, presented in an intricately tooled, contemporary binding. The largest illustrated series consists of thirty-five two-page openings comprising seventy plates devoted to the mass.