MÉRIAN (Matthäus). Novi Testamenti D. N. Iesu Christi Præcipuæ historiæ et Visiones, picturis degantissimis in æs incisis, repræsentatæ. Frankfurt: Matthäus Merian, 1627. - Small oblong in-4, 144 x 190: title, 77 plates. Purple morocco, triple gilt fillet framing the boards, ornate ribbed spine, brown morocco lining with wide gilt lace framing, double endpapers, gilt edges, slipcase (David). Rare collection composed of a title frontispiece and seventy-seven beautiful plates, finely engraved by the German draughtsman, engraver and publisher Matthäus Merian (1593-1650). He depicted the different scenes of the New Testament. This collection forms the second part of the Icones Biblicæ, the first being devoted to the Old Testament. It is very common to find these two parts sold separately. A very nice copy in David's lined binding. The proofs are of high quality, very sharp and very contrasted. It comes from the libraries of Robert Hoe, Charles-Edward Haviland and Cécile Éluard. Spine faded. Tear without missing, skilfully restored, at the twenty-fifth plate. Restoration in the lower margin of the forty-second plate, without affecting the engraving. Provenance: Robert Hoe, with bookplate (cat. II, 1912, no. 2275). - Charles-Edward Haviland (cat. 1923, no. 50). - Cécile Éluard, with ex-libris (cat. 20 February 1992, n° 46).