LAVAL, ANTOINE.

DESSEINS DE PROFESSIONS NOBLES ET PUBLIQUES, CONTENANT PLUSIEURS TRAITEZ DIVERS & RARES : ET ENTRE AUTRES, L'HISTOIRE DE LA MAISON DES BOURBONS. Paris, Abel l'Angelier, 1605. 1 vol. small in-4. Full contemporary calf, spine decorated, red morocco. Lacking the headpieces and beginning of a split in one of the spines. [14] ff, 398ff, [1]p, 34pp, [1]f. Rare first edition. The illustration of this work includes a portrait of the author, a full-length portrait of Henry IV and an allegorical engraving on him, all finely engraved by Thomas de Leu. "Under this rather equivocal title are gathered fourteen pieces, most of which relate to the history of France, and especially to the time of the League." Brunet, III,883 -884 for the 1612 edition. In non-continuous pagination: Des peintures convenables aux Basiliques et au Palais du Roy. Mesmes a sa gallerie du Louvre à Paris. Notebooks slightly browned. Pencil marks on some leaves.