Pulci (Luigi) S'ensuit l'histoire de Morgant le geant lequel avec les freres persecutoient tousiours les Chrestiens et serviteurs de Dieu..., collation: ?⁴, a-z⁴, cum⁴, rum⁴, A-O^4, 160ff., Gothic type, text in two columns, title in red and black with a three-quarter page woodcut depicting a tournament and a large decorated criblé initial, 14 woodcuts in text of different sizes and shapes, that on verso of title full-page, decorated woodcut initials throughout, a fine, unsophisticated copy, some leaves lightly browned, pale water-stain to lower margin of last quires, a few paper flaws, fols. N⁴ and O¹ slightly loose and early reinforced with parchment strip, contemporary vellum wallet binding, tie preserved, inked title to upper cover in an early hand, some stains to covers, a few bibliographical pencil notes on front pastedown, early shelf-marks on verso of front flyleaf, 4to (184 x 131mm.), Paris, Alain Lotrian, [c.1536].

⁂ Rare edition of the French translation of the Morgante, which is a narrative account of the adventures of Orlando and the giant Morgante. Pulci's chivalric and simultaneously 'carnevalesque' poem, composed in its final version of 28 cantos in octava rima, was first published in Italian in 1478 in 23 cantos. Pulci returned to his poem, and the last five cantos appeared in 1483, including the narrative of the 'Rotta di Roncisvalle'. The work met with great success and, owing to its popularity, was translated into French prose in 1517 and then published in Paris in 1519. The present edition (dated to about 1536) is illustrated with woodcuts in a popular style to complement the narrative and depict knights, tournaments, battles, and sieges.

Provenance: 'Ce presendte libre appartin a moy Jhan Jaques demourant a annery 1548. [?] Julliett' (French ownership inscription on rear pastedown); small ink stamp 'bibliotheca' on verso of title.

Literature: Brunet III, 170.