The gold-stamped arms of the French writer Tallemant des Reaux appear on both the cover and the spine of this French edition of the Imitatio Christi (1640). Tallemant's Historiettes, dealing with prominent figures in 17th century French society and Louis XIII's court, have led to his recognition as the progenitor of the portrait or miniature biography, in spite of their often scandalous content.

Given to St John's by George Udny Yule.