L'HOPITAL (MICHELE DE) Epistolarum seu sermonum libri sex, FIRST EDITION, woodcut device on title, woodcut initials, ruled in red throughout, a few light stains and small single worm-holes, fine contemporary Parisian morocco gilt, the covers with corner-pieces composed of a human mask within a frame of leafy tendrils, and a large oval centre-piece of leafy tendrils, flat spine with continuous decoration of similar design, g.e., joints and two corners neatly restored [Adams L625], folio (295 x 196mm.), Paris, Robert Estienne, 1585 THE CHATSWORTH COPY, IN A CONTEMPORARY FRENCH BINDING. Michel de L'Hopital (1504-1573) was Chancellor of France. This first edition of his sermons was published posthumously at the instigation of a group of admirers including Jacques du Faur de Pibrac, Sévole de Sainte-Marthe, and Jacques-Auguste de Thou. Provenance: "Michaelis Hospitali", inscription on flyleaf; Chatsworth Library bookplate; Christie's, Chatsworth Sale, 24 February 1982, lot 586; Alan G. Thomas (1911-1992), bookplate.