[Philippe de COMMINES]. Cronique & hystoire... contenant les choses advenues durant le regne du Roy Loys Unziesme tant en France Bourgõgne Flandres Arthois Angleterre que Espaigne et lieux circonvoisins. Nouvellemenr reveue et corrigee Avec plusieurs notables mis en marge... - Philippe de COMMINES. Croniques du Roy Charles huytiesme de ce nõ que Dieu absoille cõtenãt la Verite des faictz et gestes dignes de mémoire dudict seigneur qu'feist en son voiage de Naples et de la conqueste dudit royaulme de Naples ｸ pays adiacens Et de son triumphãt et Victorieux retour en son royaume de Frãce... Paris et Poitiers, Enguillebert de Marnef, 25 septembre 1528. 2 works in one folio volume, taupe morocco, fine four-lobed frame formed of a gilt fillet set with two cold fillets with corner fleurons, in the centre a large gilt diamond motif in small irons, spine with 6 ornate nerves, inner lace, gilt edges (Capé). Bechtel, 159/C-446 / 160/C-454 // Brunet, II-189-190 // Tchemerzine-Scheler, II-452-455 // USTC, 39054 and 8405. I. (4f.)-CVI / A4, B-S6, T4 / II. (4f.)-LX / aa4, A-K6 / 44 and 43 long lines, gothic car / 176 x 261 mm. Third edition of the Cronique et histoire... de Loys Unziesme and first edition of the Chroniques du Roy Charles huytiesme. Philippe de Commines, a great statesman under Louis XI, wrote his memoirs in two parts. The first, which he wrote between 1490 and 1493, is entirely devoted to political life under Louis XI and comprises books I to VI. Books VII and VIII, which he wrote between 1495 and 1498, were devoted to the first expedition to Italy, where he had followed King Charles VIII and where he bravely distinguished himself alongside him at the Battle of Fornoue. His memoirs end with the death of the king in 1498. His chronicles met with immediate success because they are impartial, the precise information of an eyewitness [and because] his concern to explain reality led him to work as a moralist and politician, frequently digressing, painting a pessimistic portrait of princes and men and, before Machiavelli, laying down the rules of political success (En français dans le texte, no. 38). The first six books were published in two editions in 1524, on 26 April and 7 September, then three editions were published in 1525, one in January, another on 15 February and the current one on 11 September. In reality, this last edition should be regarded as the true third edition, as the year at the time began in March, with January and February coming after September. It was not until thirty years later, following an edict by Charles IX in 1562, that the year began on 1 January. The illustrations include, for the first volume, a title frame similar to that of the original 1524 edition, the same figure on the verso representing the arms of France supported by two angels, and the printer's mark on the last leaf; for the second volume, a large, handsomely illustrated title in the architectural style showing agricultural or hunting scenes, with the printer's mark, a large woodcut with a coat of arms on leaf aa4 and 7 woodcuts in the text, one of which is repeated, as well as some lettrines. Beautifully bound, ruled copy by Capé. Minor but not serious rubbing to binding. Title of the first volume a little cut in the upper part.