Humanae salutis monumenta et al.

Antwerp: Plantin, 1571. Hardcover. Vellum backed boards, some soiling. Very good. 21 x 14.5 cm. This first Catholic emblem book is a complicated and curious combination of biblical passages assembled from various sources probably from the late 18th century and early 19th centuries. The bulk of the text comprises 35 leaves from the first edition of "Humanius" of which 23 leaves contain full page engravings by Abraham De Bruyn plus Pieter vander Borcht and Crispin van den Broeck. Bound in with the pages from the author are nine woodcut illustrations from unidentified 16th century German bible, one signed by Monogrammist MB. Also one copper engraving from an unidentified 18th/19th century French book of stories. Plus the engraved frontispiece of a (Huguenot?) Bible in French published by Mortier and Brunel in Amsterdam. With an engraved fold-out frontispiece: "Res Geste Frederici Wilhelmi Magni..." (1733). Host of unidentified vignettes. A total of 42 illustrations plus manuscript page.