Vol. 1: Collation: 8vo; π
4 1-9
8 10
4 11
1, (total 81 leaves), plus 22 plates, incl. frontispiece, each in two states, before and after lettering, (total 44 leaves of plates).
Pagination: [i-v] vi-viii [1] 2-154, ils.
Vol. 2: Collation: 8vo; π
2 1-11
8 12
3, (total 93 leaves), plus 18 plates, each in two states, before and after lettering, (total 36 leaves of plates).
Pagination: [4] [1] 2-182, ils.
Binding: two volumes, 23.3 x 15.5 cm each, uniformly bound in red crushed morocco, raised bands and gilt lettering to spine, elaborate gilt dentelle inside, marbled endpapers; text printed on slightly blueish laid paper, two edges roughly trimmed, top edge gilt. Plates in two states, before lettering in black and with lettering in sepia, drawn and engraved/etched by Nicolas Ransonnette. Bookplates "Ex Libris Laurentii Aurrie" and another, lettered "D J T F", to front pastedown in both volumes.
Catalogue raisonné: Lewine: 248; Cohen-deRicci: 502-3.
Both Lewine and Cohen & de Ricci attribute “Aventures” to
Diego Hurtado de Mendoza (Spanish, 1503 – 1575, whose authorship seems quite
unlikely.
Contributors:
Nicolas Ransonnette (French, 1745 – 1810) – artist/engraver.
Pierre-Nicolas Firmin Didot (French, 1769 – 1836) – publisher/printer.
Jean Antoine de Charnes (French, 1641 – 1728) – translator.
George De Backer (French, fl. 1691 – 1726) – translator/editor.