Livre contenant la généalogie et descente de ceux de la Maison de Croÿ tant de la ligne principale estant chef du nom et armes d'icelle que des branches et ligne collatérale de la dicte maison.

Folio: 49 engravings (tears to some pl. reinforced).

Loose, under passe-partout.

Work entirely engraved by Jacques De Bie commissioned by Charles de Croÿ (1560-1612) in memory of his ancestors. It wasn't finished when he died in 1612 and the text which was supposed to accompany the engravings was never printed. Our set (engravings from several copies?) is from the 18th-c. issue characterised by a buffoon's head filigrane and is composed of 49 engravings: a title within a Renaissance border with 6 blazons, the coat of arms with the motto of the House of Croÿ, an engr. with the titles of Charles de Croÿ within an architectural portico, 5 genealogical trees, 36 portraits, 5 views (one pl. cut in two parts) fig. a.o. "La maison d'Arschot" and Heverlee and its castle.
The number of engravings varies from one copy to another. The Bibliotheca Belgica calls for the engr. title, the coat of arms of the House of Croÿ, the pl. with Charles de Croÿ titles, 6 genealogical trees, a portrait of Charles de Croÿ (missing here), 58 portraits (the 8 last being only in the 2nd issue) and 7 views.
Ref. BB I:291/292. - Saffroy 39638 ("Ouvrage fort rare qui ne se présente jamais avec une collation identique").