DE L'ORME, Philibert. Le premier tome de l'architecture de Philibert de l'Orme conseillier et aumosnier ordinaire du Roy et abbé de S . Serge lez Angiers. Paris, Federic Morel, 1567. In-folio, very worn contemporary basane. First edition. The second volume was never published. The illustration includes more than 200 full-page and double-page engravings in the text. First edition of the most important work by Philibert de L'Orme (sometimes "Delorme"), superintendent of the king's buildings, who designed, among other things, the Château d'Anet, commissioned by Henry II for his favourite Diane de Poitiers. Dedicated to Catherine de Medicis, who opened the way to his court after the disgrace following the death of Henry II, the work was completed at the end of the architect's life. It consists of a single volume of 9 books and was never completed by the author. The work is considered to be the first French book on Renaissance architecture and was inspired by the works of Vitruvius and Alberti. Contents: folio (398 x 278 mm). 9 ff..n.o. (bl. missing, title (detached, frayed, tear not missing), dedication, table and bl. missing), 283 ff.o., 1 f.n.ch (warnings (r°) and errata (v°) and 2 f.bl.n.ch. (collation: á4, é6, a-n6 (without nii), o4, p2, q6, r4, s-v6, x4 (Xi placed further before Y, ), y-z6, A-C6, D2, E-M6, N4, O-V6 X5, Y6, (p. 254 missing), Z4, Aaa6 (p. 263 missing), Bbb4 (Bbbi and Bbbii missing), Ccc-Ddd6, Eee6 (Eeei missing)). Title in medallion in a large frame, with diagrams in remarks, 205 wood-engraved illustrations including 74 full-page illustrations, 5 folding plates and 2 double-page illustrations. Cahiers Ccc and Ddd damaged with loss of text, likewise Privilège and avertissement. Some wear and reinforcement. Apart from the defects mentioned, many sections are in good condition.