PSAUMES. Psalterium, cum aliis hymnis Biblicis Davidis. [Paris, Franciscus Estienne, 1543. In-16 (109 x 69 mm) of 269 ff. (numbered 261), 11 nn. ll.; printed in red and black. Brown morocco, boards decorated in the Du Seuil style, spine with ornate nerves, gilt edges (19th century binding). Renouard, Estienne, 100:1; Schreiber, 122; Adams lacks.The rare Greek psalter where the 'king's Greeks' were first used systematically."Greek psalter of exceptional rarity which, with the equally rare GreekHorae of the same year, contains the earliest appearance in a book of any part of the celebrated 'king's Greeks' (except for the rare 1543Alphabetum Graecum, issued as a type specimen book...) The lowercase of the type here used is still entirely Aldine, but the capitals are considerably larger... the following year, 1544, these capitals recur in conjunction with a new lower-case, both together making up the firstFrench Royal type, in an edition of the writings of Eusebius signed byRobert Estienne. This rare Greek Psalter may have been printed byRobert Estienne - in view of the use of the 'grecs du roi' - who is known to have printed other books for his brother" (Schreiber 122). Already of legendary rarity in the 19th century, Renouard notes: "The two books most remarkable for their execution among those thatFrançois put on sale are the Psalterium Graecum, and the Hours, also in Greek, both volumes of 1543, and printed in red and black.These two volumes are rare. The end of the volume is occupied by a very complete index, written in Latin and Greek to facilitate its use. A very good copy.Provenance: Cornelius Hauck (bookplate, Christie's sale, New York, June 2006).PSAUMES. Psalterium, cum aliis hymnis Biblicis Davidis. [En grec.] Paris, Franciscus Estienne, 1543. In-16 (109 x 69 mm) de 269 ff. (numérotés 261), 11 nn. ll.; imprimé en rouge et noir. Maroquin brun, plats ornés d'un décor à la Du Seuil, dos à nerfs ornés, tranches dorées (reliure du XIXème siècle).Renouard, Estienne, 100:1; Schreiber, 122; manque à Adams.Le rarissime psautier en grec où les ‘grecs du roi' furent utilisées systématiquement pour la première fois.“Greek psalter of exceptional rarity which, with the equally rare GreekHorae of the same year, contains the earliest appearance in a book of any part of the celebrated ‘grecs du roi' (except for the rare 1543Alphabetum Graecum, issued as a type specimen book...) The lowercase of the type here used is still entirely Aldine, but the capitals are considerably larger... the following year, 1544, these capitals recur in conjunction with a new lower-case, both together making up the firstFrench Royal type, in an edition of the writings of Eusebius signed byRobert Estienne. This rare Greek Psalter may have been printed byRobert Estienne - in view of the use of the ‘grecs du roi' - who is known to have printed other books for his brother” (Schreiber 122).Déjà de légendaire rareté au XIXème siècle, Renouard note : «Les deux livres les plus remarquable pour leur exécution parmi ceux queFrançois mit en vente sont le Psalterium Graecum, et les Heures, aussi en grec, l'un et l'autre volume de 1543, et imprimées en rouge et noir.Ces deux volumes sont rares».La fin du volume est occupée par un index très complet, rédigé en latin et en grec pour faciliter son usage. Très bon exemplaire.Provenance : Cornelius Hauck (ex-libris, vente Christie's, New York, juin 2006). Notes 77-livres anciens et modernes;203-Livres & Manuscrits;765-Livres religieux