[419] See the details of this voyage of Thevet given by M. Ferdinand Denis in a letter printed at the beginning of a work by M. Demersay, entitled: Études économiques sur l'Amérique; 8vo, 1851.
[420] We shall see in the next paragraph that a reprint of it was issued in April, 1558.
[421] See what has been said concerning this volume, on pages [223] and following, supra.
[422] This sign was retained by Thomas Perier, Charles's son. See Silvestre, Marques Typographiques, no. 386.
[423] Péché [sin].
[424] I have previously had occasion to comment upon the extraordinary custom that formerly prevailed in the Cabinet des Estampes of removing from engravings, etc., every sort of extraneous matter. It is impossible to measure the extent to which this custom has impaired the value of the collection. Unfortunately it is followed by most collectors of prints, who sometimes destroy a very valuable and unique volume for no other purpose than to preserve an engraving unaccompanied by text.
[425] We find some features of it in the frieze engraved by Tory for the Bible published by Robert Estienne in 1532. See p. [202], supra.
[426] This collection was sold in January, 1846, and the plate in question was purchased, for about 2000 francs, for M. Cambacérès, Grand Master of Ceremonies in the Imperial household, who now owns it [1857]. This is what M. Baron says of it in his sale catalogue, no. 445: 'This important piece, in the most perfect preservation, merits the attention of collectors by virtue of its value and its rarity.' There is a copy also in the Cabinet of Geneva.
[427] According to the catalogue quoted in the last note, the reverse of the plate also is embellished with arabesques.
[428] Brother of the first-named Jean.