ThurnierBuch. Von Anfang, Vrsachen, Vrsprung vnd Herkommen, der Thurnier im heyligen Römischen Reich Teutscher Nation. von Keyser Heinrich dem ersten . biss auff Keyser Maximilian den andern . von neuwem zusammen getragen, mit schönen neuwen Figuren . zugericht . (And: FRANCOLIN, Johannes von). Thurnier Buch. Wahrhaffte Beschreibung aller kurtzweil vnd Ritterspil, so . Maximilian, König zu Beheym.Herrn Ferdinand, erwehlten Römischen Keyser.zu.wolgefallen, vnd zu frölicher ankunfft.in.Wien.lassen halten (And:) Des Allerdurchleutigste(n) Grossmechtigsten Keyser Carols dess fünfften.fröliche.Ankunfft gen Bintz, den 22. Augusti dess 1549. Jars. 3 parts in 1 vol.

First title printed in red and black (small piece cut out from upper and lower part of title, re-margined) with numerous large woodcuts (some repeated) of tournaments and other festivities, 2 large double-page cuts (203 x 348 mm) of a tournament (dated 1565) 2 small and 2 large woodcut printer's devices (repeated), and c. 290 woodcut coats of arms by Jost Amman. 6 unn. leaves, CCXLIII leaves, 3 unn. leaves index; 4 unn. leaves, LXXXI leaves,. Small folio (297 x 192 mm). Late 19th vellum with gilt spine label, t.e.g. Library ticket of the American Type Founders Company on front paste-down, and exlibris Ambroise-Firmin Didot (1790-1876), famous collector, type founder and publisher (his sale 1879), and bookplate of the well-known library of C. Fairfax Murray (his sale 1917). Frankfurt am Main, (Georg Rab for Sig.(mund) Feyerabend and Simon Hüter), 1566. First Frankfurt edition, here with the fine woodcuts newly cut by Jost Amman (reprinted in 1578-79 at Frankfurt), and with Johannes von Francolin's appendix, and third edition of the text. Part one contains the description of 36 tournaments which had taken place in German and Swiss towns from the 10th to the 15th century. Part two consists of an account of the tournaments, skirmishes, processions, festivities, and other amusements which took place at Vienna from May 2 - June 1563, with the names and coats of arms of all persons taking part therein. Part 3 is concerned with the tournaments held in celebration of the entry of Emperor Charles V into Bintz (Netherlands) on August 22, 1549 with 12 large woodcuts. Rüxner's book is of great genealogical interest and an authentic source for German chivalry and heraldry, the customs and usages in German tournaments. The present edition with Amman's woodcuts, besides from their artistic merit, is remarkable for the correct rendering of costumes and armor and add to the value of this book as a historical source. Several of the cuts are monogrammed with Amman's initials, some have the monogram H/B and a woodcuter's knife, believed to be Hans Bockberger, one of Amman's assistants. - A fine copy of a German woodcut book, with an interesting provenance. - VD 16 R 3544; STC, (German), 760; Adams R-877; Becker, Amman, 8; Fairfax Murray, (German), 374 (this copy). SPORTS AND GAMES ; ALTE DRUCKE ; HORSES / PFERDEBÜCHER ; ILLUSTRATED BOOKS (BEFORE 1900) ; GENEALOGY - HERALDRY ;