[PULCI, Luigi (1432-1484).] Sensuyt Ihistoyre de Morgant le Geant lequel avec ses freres persecutoyent souvent les chrestiens et serviteurs de Dieu mais finablement furent ces deux freres occis par le conte Roland. Paris: Alain Lotrian, [c.1536].

Double-Hoe copy of an extremely scarce French edition of Pulci's fantastical Romance of the crusades. Pulci's contribution to the legendary tales of Orlando (later so famously developed by Ariosto) is an epic parody about a giant who converts to Christianity and joins the famous knight on his adventures. It first appeared in Italian in 1481, and is first recorded translated into French in an edition by Jehan Petit printed in 1519. Alain Lotrian printed a few undated editions with woodcut illustrations around this time which are often confused with each other in the bibliographic record.

Lotrian was a part of the household of the heirs of Jean Trepperel and his widow Marguerite, who continued to operate the press after the former's death at the same address; other imprints of his include the names of Jean Trepperel II and Denis Janot (grandson of Marguerite), including another very similar edition of the present text. Some of the woodcuts are reused from Trepperel's earlier works. The Hoe catalogue describes it as "one of the rarest of the romances of chivalry of the Carlovingian cycle." Bechtel, Catalogue des gothiques français, 1476-1560, vol 4, M-512; Catalogue of Books Printed in Foreign Languages before the year 1600 forming a Portion of the Library of Robert Hoe, vol 2, p. 77. See also Morceau IV 780 (edition printed with Janot).

Quarto (177 x 118mm). Gothic types. Title page printed in red and black. Woodcut on title and 3/4 page woodcut illustrations throughout with some repeats, woodcut initials (even toning). Crimson morocco gilt with matching doublures by Chambolle-Duru, gilt over marble edges. Provenance: Baron Léopold Double, 1812-1881 (book label; his sale 1863 and 20 May 1881) - Robert Hoe (book label; his sale 1887) - Sotheby's 5 December 1905, lot 1558 (bought by BF Stevens) - John B. Stetson Jr (his sale, Anderson Galleries, 17 April 1935, lot 294).