Le premier [- deusième,- troisième] livre d'Amadis de Gaule [trsl. Nicolas de Herberay].

3 (of 12) parts in 1 vol, 4to: [2]-112, [2]-69-[1], [2]-71 ff. (marginal dampstains - except one larger - throughout, tear strengthened on 1st title, margin of f. 60 in book I torn without loss, soiling, tear with loss in f. 24 of book II).

Cont. blind-stamped pigskin, covers decorated with fillets and rollstamps (one with portraits), spine on raised bands (slightly rubbed, ties lacking).

First Plantin edition of the first 3 vol. of this popular chivalric novel, which also exists with the address of J. van Waesberghen. Illustrated with 17 woodcuts in text (repeats), mostly representing fighting soldiers. Woodcut mark on titles. Printed in 2 cols. Ref. Voet 54A.- BT 5035. - Pettegree FB 893/903/913 = NB 813/818/826. - Cp. Adams A-868/870/872 (chez Jean Waesberghe, pr. Plantin) and STC Dutch 5-6 (id.). - Van Selm pp. 183-197. - Not in Sorgeloos, Machiels. Prov. "1564 HS" (stamped on upper cover). - Hector De Backer (1843-1925), former president of the Société des bibliophiles et iconophiles de Belgique (bookpl. on leather).