A rare complete set of the Lyon ‘pocket’ edition of Amadis de Gaul, usually only found in single books, with a fascinating provenance linking three great noble collectors, Henry Percy “The Wizard Earl”, James Hamilton, 4th Duke of Hamilton and Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland.
The text of the first books of Amadis de Gaule was at one time thought to have a Portuguese origin, but it is generally held today to be Spanish, a Castilian version being known from around 1370. Garci Rodriguez de Montalvo is the author of the Spanish version so beloved by Don Quixote, and this was first published in Saragossa in 1508 (Books I-IV, Norton 625, describing the unique copy in the BL) Books V-VII, being but poor imitations and as such thrown away by Cervantes, were printed in Seville or Salamanca in the next few years, and the whole was thereafter frequently reprinted.
The genesis of the story is in the Breton and Charlemagne cycles, but there are elements from elsewhere, e.g. the stories of Tristan and Lancelot, and the whole might be described as a chivalric romance, Whoever was the author established a literary canon which had no fixed geographical location, although it has many English elements in the names of places etc, but was universal. Supposedly taken and corrected ‘from old originals’ (a common literary topos used often later by such as Manzoni or in Potocki’s Le manuscript trouvé à Saragosse) the story was certainly known in Spain, Portugal, and well beyond; Eleazer ben Gershom Soncino printed a Hebrew version by Jacob Algaba of part of the text in Constantinople in about 1540 (Steinschneider Cat. Bibl. Bodleianae no. 5497), and there may have been earlier editions. The last part to appear in Spanish was book XII (Seville, 1546), but there were various dramatic adaptations well into the 17th century, as well as editions of the main texts.
The translators into French are as follows: Nicolas d’ Herbelay des Essars, and artillery officer, was from Picardy and beginning in 1540 by 1547 (he died in 1552) had translated books I-VII. The work was continued by Gilles Boileau, revised by Claude Colet (9), Jacques Gohorry (1520-76) the devotee of prisca sapientia (books 10,11,13), Antoine Tyron (14 in 1574), and Guillaume Aubert (1534? -ca. 1600, who subsequently revised book fourteen). It is these which constitute the French translation of the Spanish originals, but differently ordered. From 1577 a group of Lyonnese publishers published the translations of the various Italian sequels, which were the work of Mambrino Roseo done into French by Gabriel Chappuys (1546?-1613) the over fluent and massively productive translator, and Jacques Charlot. All these are here united in this splendid set.
Provenance: Two volumes/parts (V & VI) belonged in the 16th century to H[enry]Percy and have his name and the Percy family motto “Esperance en Dieu” (Hope in God) inscribed on the title-pages. This is the “Wizard Earl”, Henry Percy (1564-1632), 9th Earl of Northumberland, and, as noted by Botho, is the signature of the Earl as a boy. It is found on other French imprints of the late 1560s to early 1580s and it is likely that he purchased the books while studying in Paris before being recalled following the death of his father in 1585. His library was substantial, around 2000 volumes, and despite various sales much still remains at Petworth and Alnwick Castle. For a detailed description of the collection see G.R. Batho, ‘The Library of the Wizard Earl’, The Library, 5th series vol. XV 1960, pp. 246-261.
One volume (16, book XIII, f. A2) has an inscription of Catherine Mansel. This could be Lady Catherine (Katherine) Sidney, daughter of Robert Sidney (1563-1626), 1st Earl of Leicester and first wife of Sir Lewis Mansel of Margam (d. 1638), who died in 1616. Her brother, Robert Sidney 2nd Earl of Leicester (1595-1677) married Lady Dorothy Percy, Henry’s daughter. This may possibly afford a link between these two provenances.
James Hamilton, 4th Duke of Hamilton (1658-1712), with his fine armorial bookplate datable to 1698-1710 in each volume. “Eldest son of William Douglas, 3rd Duke of Hamilton (1634–1694), born in Hamilton Palace, Lanarkshire. He was educated at Glasgow University and then went abroad on the grand tour, spending much time at the French court, eventually returning to join the English court of Charles II who in 1683 sent him back to France as an ambassador to Louis XIV. He was recalled to England on the death of Charles II and was given a military command by James II. He remained loyal to James and was imprisoned in the Tower of London by William III. On inheriting the dukedom, he took his seat in the Scottish Parliament. He opposed the Act of Union but was appointed one of the representative Scottish peers in the British Parliament as the first Duke of Brandon. He and Lord Mohun killed each other in a duel over a contested debt. The Duke was a noted art collector. The bookplate is is identifiable as that of the 4th Duke of Hamilton and datable to 1698–1710: Hamilton and Douglas arms before his creation as Duke of Brandon (1711); shows his Order of the Thistle (1688) and ducal coronet (1698)”, see David Pearson entry, Book Owners Online.
Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland (1674-1722), statesman and bibliophile, with his distinctive ink shelfmarks ‘B14:1’ to ‘B:14:29’ and later ink shelfmarks of the library ‘104 a 24’ etc; sold Bibliotheca Sunderlandiana, 1 December 1881, lot 250, for £5 10s (“A very rare edition not often found complete, Books IX, X, XII, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX and XXI are divided and each bound into 2 vols. Book XIII has a leaf supplied in MS. and the title of Book XX is defective”.
“Spencer has long been recognised as one of the leading figures in the evolution of connoisseur book collecting around the turn of the 18th century… He particularly sought early editions of classical authors, and helped to create interest in collecting incunabula. His books were largely kept at his London home, Sunderland House, where by the time of his death he had over 20,000 volumes spread over more than 5 rooms… He was noted for his extravagance, and willingness to pay high prices for books, to beat off competition.” (Pearson).
Dr. Hugh Selbourne (1906-1973), his library sold at Bonhams March 2015, with his stamp and pencil markings.
Kenneth Rapoport, noted collector of chivalric books.
NOTES: 1. Books VI and VIII were not translated; Spanish VII = French VI; French VII-VIII = Spanish IX; French IX-X = Spanish X; French XI-XII = Spanish XI part 1 (the second part was not translated; French XIII-XIV = Spanish XII. 2. Supplement to Book XII becomes in 1577 French XV; the six parts of book XIII become French XVI-XXI. There were numerous editions (XV,4; XVI,5; XVII,2; XVIII, 2; XIX, 4; XX, 4; XXI, 3, but some may be ghosts.
1. Le premier livre d’Amadis de Gaule, mis en François par le seigneur des Essars, etc. Lyon: F. Didier, 1577. ff. 351, [1]. Baudrier IV, pp 86-88.
2. Le second livre, etc. Lyon: Didier, 1577 ff. 114, [2]. Baudrier IV, p. 88.
3. Le troisiesme livre, etc. Lyon: B. Rigaud (J. d’Ogerolles printer), 1575. 472, [8], p. last leaf a blank. Barbier III, p. 321.
4. Le quatrieme livre, etc. Lyon: Didier, 1577. Ff. 223, [1], slightly damp-stained in parts. Baudrier IV, p. 88.
5. Le cinquieme livre, etc. Lyon: Didier, 1577. Ff. 239, [1]. Baudrier IV, p. 88. Signature on title-page of H. Percy with the family motto ‘Esperance en Dieu’.
6. Le sixieme livre, etc. Lyon: Didier, 1577. Ff. 264, [8], lacking Ll8. Baudrier IV, p. 89. Signature on title-page of H. Percy with the family motto ‘Esperance en Dieu’.
7. Le septiesme livre, etc. Lyon: Rigaud (J. d’Ogerolles), 1575*.* 519, [17]p., slight damage to L4 with slight loss of text. Baudrier III, p. 322.
8. Le huitieme livre, etc. Lyon: Didier, 1577. Ff. 272, [4], small tear in f. AA1. Baudrier IV, p. 89.
9. Le neufvieme livre, etc. Lyon: Didier, 1577 ff. 241 (catchword elle).
10. Part 9 continued. Ff. 242-443, [9]. Baudrier IV, p. 90.
11. Le dixiesme livre, etc. Lyon: Rigaud (J. Joly & G. Jelayron), 1575. [36, 272pp].
12. Part 10 continued. [273-601, [17]pp. Barbier III, p. 323.
13. Le onzieme, etc. Lyon: Didier, 1577. Ff. 331 [5]. Small tear in T2 with loss of s few letters. Baudrier IV, p. 90.
14. Le douzieme livre, etc. Lyon: Didier, 1577*.* Ff. 256.
15. Part 12 continued. Ff. 257-551, [7]. Baudrier IV, p. 91.
16. Le treizieme livre, etc. Lyon: Didier, 1577. [8], 441, [5]p., inscription on f. []2] of Catherine Mansel. Folio Ff2 in manuscript facsimile (c. 1700). Baudrier IV, p. 91.
17. Le quatorzieme livre, etc. Lyon: Rigaud, 1577. ff. 314, [6]. Barbier III, p. 336.
18. Le quinziesme livre… Mis en François par Gabriel Chappuys Tourangeau. Lyon: Rigaud, 1578. 526, [1]p. Barbier III, p. 345.
19. Le seiziesme livre (transl. Chappuys). Lyon: F. Didier, 1578. 416p., paper damage on S1 with slight loss of text.
20. Part 16 continued. 417-845, [1]p. Baudrier IV, p. 91.
21. Le dixseptieme livre, etc. Lyon: Michel, 1578 (Imprimé par E. Brignol) . ff[16], 211.
22. Part 17 continued. Ff. 212-440 23. Le dixhuitiesme livre, etc. Lyon: L. Cloquemin, 1579. 560p., d4.5 loose, V7 and Y6 with very slight damage and loss
24. Part 18 continued. 561-999, [19]p. Without final blank.
25. Le dixneufviesme livre, etc. Lyon: Cloquemin, 1581. Ff. [16], 233. Barbier IV, p. 59.
26. Part 19 continued . Ff. 233-445, [1(blank)] Some manuscript notes on final blank
27. Le vingtiesme et penultime livre, etc. Lyon: Brignol, 1581*.* Ff. [16], 384.
28. Le vingt uniesme et dernier livre, etc. Lyon: Cloquemin*,* 1578*.* [16], 201. Baudrier, IV, p. 60.
29. Part 21 continued. Ff 202-448. Achevé d’imprimer le 20 de février 1581.
Occasional very light discolouration, 2 leaves with slight damage, one title-leaf repaired with loss of imprint, one leaf in vol. 16 (book 13, pp. 435/6) in manuscript facsimile c. 1700.
