Chalmers, Histoire abregee de tous les Roys de France, Angleterre et Ecosse, Paris, 1579, vellum

Chalmers, David. Histoire abbregee de tous les Roys de France, Angleterre et Ecosse, mise en ordre par forme d'harmonie contenant aussi un brief discours de l'ancienne alliance, & mutuel secours entre la France & l'Escosse. Plus, l'Epitome de l'histoire romaine des Papes & Empereurs y est adjousté, & celle d'iceux roys augmentee selon la mesme methode. Dedié au treschrestien roy de France, & de Polongne, Henry III. Le tout recueilli & mis en lumiere, avec la recerche tant des singularitez plus remarquables concernant l'estat d'Escosse que de la succession des femmes aux biens, & gouvernement des Empires & Royaumes. Paris: Robert Colombel, 1579

Chalmers (ca. 1530-1592) was a confidant of Mary, Queen of Scots. He spent numerous years in France after being exiled for helping her to escape imprisonment in Scotland in 1568.

The three works in this volume were issued both together and separately.

2 parts in one volume, 8vo (167 x 105 mm). Roman and italic type, 32 lines plus headline: collation: â⁸ ê⁸ a-z⁸ A-G⁸; ê⁴ A-D⁸; â⁴ A-D⁸ E⁴: 256 + 36 + 36 leaves. Woodcut Aldine device on title-pages, woodcut initials and headpieces, a few deckle edges. (Occasional spotting or light browning.)

binding: Contemporary vellum (170 x 115 mm), spine with later manuscript lettering, two pairs of green fabric ties. (Ties frayed, spine slightly soiled, upper hinge broken.)

provenance: John Hay, marquess of Tweeddale (1643-1713), armorial bookplate, sale, Christie, Manson & Woods, 18 March 1970, lot 36, to Pickering & Chatto. acquisition: Purchased from Sokol Books, London, 2003. references: Renouard 299/3 & 497; USTC 313, 12187, 14241