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DANET, Pierre. Dictionarium novum latinum et gallicum. In quo utriusque linguæ ratio continetur, & ad Scriptorum intelligentiam via facilis aperitur… Ad usum… Delphini…
Paris: Andream Pralard, 1672
£ 500
FIRST EDITION. 4to (26 x 19.5 cm); a4-e4-i4 A-Bbbb4; [10] 566 pp. [2]. Title page with engraved printer’s device; Dedicatory letter to the Louis, Grand Dauphin with engraving; Preface; Errata corrige and Addenda at the end. Marbled endpapers with gilt meander pattern. Some browning and foxing throughout; very small wormholes not affecting text. Polish calf binding with triple filleted gold tooled decoration; all edges marbled. Spine in six compartments separated by twin raised bands; gilt decoration and title. A crisp and fine copy.
Pierre Danet (1650-1790) as a French cleric, Latinist, Hellenist, Romanist and lexicographer. In 1668, he was appointed by Charles de Sainte-Maure (1610-1690), the tutor of Louis, Grand Dauphin, in the editorial team of expenditure ad usum Delphini. Also known today as the Delphin Classics, these works were a series of annotated editions of the Latin classics. The first volumes, like this one, were created in the 1670s for Louis, le Grand Dauphin, heir of Louis XIV and were written entirely in Latin.
The engraved printer’s device is that of André Pralard (f. 1668-1718) and it depicts Occasio or Fortuna holding a sail and standing precariously on a winged globe with a seascape in the background. The Latin motto reads INIMICOS VIRTUTE SUPERABIS (you will conquer your enemies with strength).