1714 – Lives of Desert Saints – Villefore | Church Fathers & Monks – Portraits

A rare early 18th-century book by J.F. Bourgoing de Villefore on the important church fathers and martyrs of the West. This fine 1708 edition includes full-page engravings of each saint along with a short biography of each. Notable biographies include:

• Saint Cloud
• Saint Hilare
• Saint Martin of Tours
• Saint Florentius of Strasbourg
• Saint Symeon of Trier (Syracuse)
• Saint Robert of Molesme
• Saint Bernard
• Saint Stephen of Citeaux

This set covers many of the lesser-known Catholic and Orthodox martyrs and saints. A rare example of Villefore’s most important work.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Les vies des SS Pères des deserts, et des Saintes Solitaires d’Orient et d’Occident
• Author(s): Joseph François Bourgoin de Villefore
• Publisher: A Anvers, chez Pierre Brunel; se trouve à Amsterdam
• Edition: 1714 edition.
• Binding: Hardcover
• Format: (16mo), three volumes
• Size:  6.25 in x 4 in (16 cm x 10 cm)
• Collation: 3 volumes (of 4)
  • Vol 1: [iii], [v-xxviii], 310 (of 311) pp;
  • Vol 2: 332 pp;
  • Vol 3: 350, [2] pp
• Illustrations: Full-page engraved portraits throughout
• Contents Include:
  • Lives of Saint Martin of Tours and Saint Bernard
  • Accounts of Saint Stephen of Cîteaux and Saint Robert of Molesme
  • Biographies of Eastern and Western hermits
  • Narratives of lesser-known saints and martyrs

Condition:

Good. Hardcover binding with marbled boards and vellum spine shows heavy fading and wear; corners rubbed. Text blocks remain tight and secure. Pages show notable age toning. Volume I lacking last page.

Why Collect This?

• Includes engraved portraits of numerous saints
• Covers both Eastern and Western Christian traditions

Item Number: #50237