Finely bound illustrated edition. First appearing in the 1550s, Les Amours recount two of Ronsard's love affairs: the first with Cassandre, the second with Marie. Twenty years later, the 'prince of poets' returned to the theme of love and the form of the sonnet, with two books of Sonnets for Hélène. Pierre de Ronsard (1524 - 1585) is considered by many to be the greatest poet of the French Renaissance. He founded and led a small group of like-minded writers known first as the Brigade and later as the Pléiade.

Limited edition, one of 1650 copies on velin pur fil de Rives, 3 vols, 4to ( 24 x 19 cm); illustrated in colour throughout after original watercolours by A. E. Marty and ornaments after R. Jacquet, marbled pink endpapers; later half burgundy morocco over gilt marbled boards, signed Jean Etienne, in corresponding marbled slipcases with morocco entries, spines slightly sunned, a very good set.