The Essayes or Morall, Politiske, and Militarie Discourses of Lord Michael De Montaige, Knight of the Noble Order of Saint Michael, and One of the Gentlemen in Ordinary of the French Kings Chamber. the Third Edition Wherunto is Now Newly Added an Index Of The Principall Matters & Personages Mentioned in This Booke.

The third English/John Florio translated edition of Michel de Montaigne's Essays, and the first to contain the engraved architectural frontispiece (often lacking) by Martin Droeshout, the engraver who famously engraved Shakespeare's portrait frontispiece in the First Folio published in 1623; the table of contents listing all essays/headings by book; and the Index of "principal matters and personages in this book."

Collated complete. Folio (27.5 x 18cm), [xii], 631, [1], [12] pp., including 'To the Beholder of This Title' poem bound before B1, Montaigne, Michel de London: M[iles] Flesher, for Richard Royston, 1632. Contemporary sprinkled calf, later skillfully rebacked to preserve contemporary binding, but with later, possibly 18th century label, wearing. Rebinding possibly done by Henry Southeran's, one of the oldest operating bookdealers and binders founded in 1761. Small stamp on renewed end paper (and full page printed sale invoice on laid paper tipped in, undated) bearing the address of Sackville Street in London, where it is presently (their website suggests they moved here in 1936).

Engraved additional title-page, engraved title chipped along top edge and extended along fore margin (repaired). 18th-century ownership inscription of Thomas Marsden (and note of purchase from his sister) to title-page. Some toning, occasional blemishes, minor paper repair to first few leaves, but otherwise a very good+, and internally very clean copy of an increasingly scarce edition of one of the most influential books printed in the Renaissance.