Binding for Jean Brinon, sieur de Villaines (d. 1528)

An incunable (the works of Aristophanes, printed by Aldo Manuzio in 1498) in a 16th-century gold-tooled binding, bearing several marks of Jean Brinon, sieur de Villaines and conseiller du Roy. Both covers bear a similar arrangement of devices, a monogram in each corner with a central medallion. On the front cover this medallion contains a coat of arms surrounded by the legend "I. Brinon. Sr. de Villaines. Coseil du Roy". On the rear cover the monogram appearing at the four corners is repeated (third image below) surrounded by the motto "Espoir me tormente". Two people of the name Jean Brinon, a father and son, held the title "sieur de Villaines" in the first half of the 16th century, although this appears to have belonged to the father who was named "conseiller clerc au parlement de Normandie" in 1511. He also conducted various diplomatic missions to the court of Henry VIII on behalf of Francois I, bringing thirty hogsheads of wine as gifts with him on his first visit.

The initials I.M.T. are stamped in a triangular fashion around each central medallion, although these appear to refer to a later owner, Jacques Malenfant of Toulouse, whose name appears in a Greek inscription dated 1567 inside the volume.

Given by John Newcome.