[Bible] Liber Psalmorum Davidis, [Geneva], 1556, French tan calf gilt, Nicolas Psaume's copy

BIBLE. OLD TESTAMENT. PSALMS. Liber Psalmorum Davidis. Tralatio duplex, Vetus & Nova. Haec posterior, Sanctis Pagnini, partim ab ipso Pagnino recognita, partim ex Francisci Vatabli hebraicarum literarum professoris quondam regii eruditissimis praelectionibus emendata et expolita. Adjectae sunt annotationes cum ex aliorum tralatione, tum vero ex commentariis hebraeorum ab ipso Vatablo diligenter excussis: quae commentarii vice lectoribus esse poterunt. [Geneva]: Robert Estienne, 1556 (1 January 1557)

A copy of Estienne's 1556 edition of the Psalms, in a richly-tooled contemporary French binding produced for Nicolas Psaume (1518-1575), Bishop of Verdun, who participated in the Council of Trent. This edition includes text in two columns—with the traditional Vulgate text and Sante Pagnini's new translation appearing side-by-side—above Vatable's substantial commentary.

The binding could be attributed to Jean Picard, as several of the tools are identified by Nixon on bindings made for Jean Grolier: see Grolier Bindings, tools C. de P. 47, 52, 58a-b, and 75.

8vo (164 x 104 mm.). Roman, italic, and Hebrew type. Collation: a-z⁸ A-M⁸: 280 leaves. Woodcut Estienne device on title-page, ruled in red. (Washed early ownership inscriptions to title and washed manuscript shelfmark to verso of front free endpaper).

Binding: Contemporary French tan calf gilt over pasteboards (167 x 112 mm), black painted interlacing surrounded by hatched and solid leafy tools, in centre an oval with square protrusions at each side, containing on upper cover "N|PSAVL|ME.|EPUS.ET|COMES.|VERDV|NEN", and on lower cover of painted arms on a blue ground (largely abraded), stubs from 2 pairs of ties, spine with lozenge shaped flower stamp in compartments, edges gilt. (Expertly rebacked and recornered, retaining most of original spine).

Provenance: Nicolas Psaume (1518-1575), Bishop of Verdun (1548-1575), name lettered on upper cover, painted arms on lower cover, and traces of washed ownership inscription to foot of title ("N [...] Verdunensis"; for a very similar ownership inscription see Sotheby's, 5 June 2013, lot 87) — Abbaye Saint-Michel de Saint-Mihiel, washed Latin inscription to title ("Nunc monasterii S[anc]ti Michaelis de S[anc]to Michaele"). References: USTC 450423; GLN 1961