Isaac Casaubon was one of the most learned men in Europe at the turn of the seventeenth century and from 1604 served as one of the librarians to the Bibliothéque Royale, the French royal library. It is unlikely that this book was part of that library, but it does contain a dedication to Henry IV of France and bears the king's arms. These arms are similar in appearance to those of his immediate predecessor Henry III, but with the Polish arms (Henry III had been elected King of Poland prior to his accession to the French throne) replaced by those of Navarre, the small Pyrenees kingdom Henry IV had inherited from his mother in 1572. This book was presented by Casaubon to Sir Thomas Parry who was English Ambassador to the French court between 1601 and 1605, so it may have been specially bound for the occasion.

Binding information

Contemporary binding in red goatskin with the arms of Henry IV of France and Navarre to centre, within two gold chains and surmounted by crown, within laurel wreath. Edges of boards with triple fillet gilt line, the letter H surmounted by a crown to inner corners. Flat spine with triple gilt fillet border, within which two crowned letter Hs and the title HIST. AVGVST. SCRIPTORES. All edges gilt, with evidence of ties. Outside of board edges tooled with single gilt fillet line.