Bruys François - Lot 5

Bruys François Histoire des Papes, depuis St Pierre jusqu'à Benoit XIII inclusment. La Haye, Henri Scheurleer, à La Haye 1732 1734. 5 volumes in-4°, contemporary full calf binding, ornate ribbed spines, brown morocco title-pieces, green for the tomaison. Used rubbing, a few corners dulled, a fairly good copy. A small marginal wetness at the very beginning of volume III, a second on the title page of volume V. Collated and complete. XIV, 615pp. and (2) 654pp. (10) and (2) XXIV, 692pp. and (2) 684pp. (4) and (2) 597pp. (125). Rare first edition, decorated with a fine frontispiece by Van der Laan, found at the beginning of volume V. This work has become a constantly used reference on the history of the popes. The book was condemned at the time by Catholics and Protestants alike. In his bibliography, Brunet writes that he considers the book to have been written against Rome.