Io. Barclaii Argenis by Barclay, John, 1582-1621 - 1630

Leiden (Lugd. Bat): Ex Officiana Elzeviriana, 1630. 12mo. 690, [6]. The most important of his writings known as "The Argenis" was published originally in the 1621 the year of his death. It was celebrated by Reichelieu, Leibnitz, Grotius, Pople, Disraeli and many literary people for its fine story telling and its wonderful honesty. It was translated into French, Spanish, German and English within the first few years of its appearance. It is a long romance but it skillfully interweaves the leading personages of the era of Henry III of France (and Henry IV) leading up to contemporary events including the Overbury scandal. Since it was royalist in tone and anti-aristocratic and establishing the importance of the state, it was greatly admired by King James who asked Ben Jonson to translate it though the work was destroyed in a fire. Very scarce early edition of a best seller of its age and a tale that was of strong influence to the age of revolution. Bound in full old calf with some loss of calf to head, tail and corners, text clean and bright, binding very sturdy.