[Desmarets de Saint-Sorlin, Jean - Della Bella, Stefano]. - - Lot 566

[Desmarets de Saint-Sorlin, Jean - Della Bella, Stefano]. - [A Set of ] Geography. Paris: Henry le Gras, Bookseller, at the 3rd pillar of the great hall of the Palace. Followed by: A Set of Fables. In Paris, published by F. Le Conte on Rue St. Jacques at the Chifre Royal, n.d. [1698]. 2 games in one 12mo volume, root-stained calfskin, decorated ribbed spine—lower cap torn off, upper cap trimmed—Title page and 52 cards; Title page and 52 cards. It was at Mazarin’s request that Desmarets de Saint-Sorlin devised four educational games for the young Louis XIV: the Game of the Kings of France, the Game of Famous Queens, the Game of Fables, and the Game of Geography. He entrusted the engraving to Stefano della Bella. These decks were first published in 1644 by Henry le Gras. His brother-in-law, Florentin Lambert, reprinted them in 1664. After Lambert’s death, the plates were acquired by Florent le Comte, who republished them in 1698. He retained the name “le Gras” on the *Game of Renowned Queens* and the *Game of Geography*, and indicated his own name only on the *Game of Fables* and the *Game of Kings*.