De re vestiaria libellus.Paris, Roberto Stephani [=Robert Estienne], 1535. 8vo. With a woodcut printer's device on the title-page. Early 18th-century gold-tooled (mottled) calf, red sprinkled edges, marbled endpapers. by BAÏF, Lazare de and [Charles ESTIENNE (editor)]

[2 blank], 68, [10], [4 blank] pp.Rare edition of one of the very first children's books ever printed. The work contains a description of textiles and ancient Roman dress, and was specifically meant for the entertainment and edification of children. This second, improved and enlarged edition was published shortly after the first. It is very rare on the market, as we have not been able to find other copies of this edition in sales records of the past 100 years.The work is part of a series on Roman antiquities written by Lazare de Baïf (1496-1547) in the late 1520s. This is the first title in the series and discusses ancient Roman hats and shoes, carpets and rugs, and the colours of wool and other textiles, with French translatons of many of the terms. De Baïf's work was edited and abridged by Charles Estienne (1505-1564), scholar, physician and younger brother of printer Robert Estienne (1503-1559). His work was a great succes and at least 17 more editions followed between 1535 and 1543.De Baïf was a humanist, poet and wealthy diplomat. He was the French ambassador in Venice and Germany. He hired Charles Estienne as a Latin tutor for his son, Jean-Antoine de Baïf (1532-1589), who later became a poet. Estienne initially abridged De Baïf's works to provide simplified Latin readings for his student, but soon published it for the enjoyment of other children as well. He was an elegant writer of Latin verse, and is commended by poet Joachim du Bellay as having introduced a few valuable words into the French language.The corners, edges and joints of the boards are scuffed, with some loss of material on the spine and at the corners, the hinge is broken at the front and partly at the back, but the boards are still attached. The title-page is slightly stained. Otherwise in good condition.l Adams B41; BM, Catalogue of French books, p. 39; Pettegree & Walsby 55622/2518; USTC 79709 (3 copies); cf. Schreiber, F., The Estiennes, 50 (other ed.).