Belgica christiana; sive Synopsis successionum et gestorum episcoporum Belgicae provinciae. Suidas CXLII virorum bonorum dii ne post obitum quidem obliviscuntur.

4to: [24]-411-[1] pp. (toned).

Old mottled sheep (sl. rubbed), covers with gilt-ruled frame and gilt corner ornaments (stain at back cover), gilt orn. spine with 5 raised bands (joints sl. rubbed), red leather title label, gilt edges, gilt inside dentelles, sp. edges. Good copy.

Rare first edition of this historical overview of the bishoprics in the Southern and Northern Netherlands, by A. de Raisse (Douai 1580?-1644), Canon of St. Peter's Collegial Church in Douai. Dedicated to Engelbert Des Bois (1578-1651), Bishop of Namur. Ill. with engr. mark mounted on title (as in probably all copies). Some passages in civilité. Title in red and black.
Ref. Duthilloeul 667. - Opac KBR. - BnF.
Prov. Jean-Baptiste Verdussen (1698-1773), bookseller and collector (old emblematic bookplate with motto "Tutissima virtus pietas homini" on upper and lower pastedown; Ref. CERL, Provenances, 14858). - "Ex libris De Ram Lov. 1839", i.e. P.F.X. de Ram, Rector of Leuven University. - Old note on front flyleaf.
Bound with: Id. - Vita Theodorici a Monasterio, guardiani Lovaniensis. Douai, P. Auroi, 1631. 16 pp. (cut a bit short at top shaving first line of title). Very rare first edition of the life of Dirk Coelde van Munster (Münster 1435-1515 Leuven), German Franciscan missionary and guardian of i.a. the monasteries of Boetendaal (Brussels), Antwerp and Leuven. He was the writer of the brief, popular treatise on the Catholic faith, "Kerstenspiegel" (Christian's mirror), considered to be the first German, and Dutch, catechism. Ill. with a nice engr. portrait of Theodoric on title, by M. Baes. "Rare opuscule" (Duthilloeul). Title in red and black. Ref. Duthilloeul 528. - Limo. - Not in Anet, Opac KBR, BnF.