Beschreibung:

DESCERPZ, François]. Recueil de la diuersit des habits qui sont de present en usaige tant es pays d'Europe, Asie, Affrique et Isles sauuaiges . Paris: François de Prez, 1567.
DESCERPZ, François]. Recueil de la diuersit des habits qui sont de present en usaige tant es pays d'Europe, Asie, Affrique et Isles sauuaiges . Paris: François de Prez, 1567. 8 o (full extended sheet size 218 x 134 mm; inlaid leaves each measure approximately 142 x 80 mm). 62 (of 64) leaves inlaid throughout. The original publisher, Richard Breton's printer's device on title; each page within an ornamental woodcut border, and 117 (of 121) woodcuts of figures in costume, printed one to a page with descriptive quatrain below. (Original leaves inlaid throughout with many borders shaved or cropped, some letters cropped on prefatory text, lacking 2 leaves containing 4 cuts.) 19th-century English tan straight-grained morocco gilt, edges gilt (minor wear). Provenance : Gabriel Harvey (signature on title and at end); Ashburnham Library (shelfmark, sale, Sotheby's, 1897, lot 3156); acquired from Lathrop C. Harper, 1965. Third edition of a RARE COSTUME BOOK FROM THE ASHBURNHAM LIBRARY. Breton's first edition of 1562 is cited by Colas as "THE FIRST KNOWN WORK ON COSTUME". Colas maintains that François Descerpz, whose name appears in the dedication to Henri de Bourbon, is the author of the descriptive verses. In this edition, his name appears as publisher though spelled as Des Prez, and Mortimer suggests that he may be the artist as well as author. See previous lot. Brunet IV, 1147; Colas II, 2497; Fairfax Murray French 478; see Mortimer French 453 (second edition, 1564); see Sabin 19689 (first edition).