Lot 97: ROËTTIERS, FRANCIS.

[ENGRAVINGS OF THE ELEMENTS]. .[PARIS], 1705.
Oblong folio (211 x 441mm.), 5 engraved plates (including dedication leaf to James III) numbered 1-5, contemporary French red morocco gilt, gilt arms of James II on both covers with the cyphers "M" and "R" ("Maria Regina") stamped in alternate corners, spine gilt in compartments, slightly water-damaged

Mary of Modena (1658-1718), binding; bought for £28, lot 438 from unspecified sale, described as "Dedication copy to James III" (catalogue entry loose at front with pencil annotations by the 5th Earl); 5th Earl of Rosebery, armorial bookplate

The Roëttiers family of engravers, from Flanders, came to England to work in the Royal Mint at the behest of Charles II; Francis was born in London in 1685 and later became director of the Vienna Academy of Art.

Mary of Modena (Maria Beatrice d'Este), the consort of James II (died 1701) and the mother of James Stuart (the Old Pretender who styled himself James III), went into exile in Paris after the Glorious Revolution, soon after the birth of James in June 1688. We have been unable to trace another copy of these engravings, which may have been printed in anticipation of James coming of age in July 1706.

Several bindings belonging to Mary of Modena are recorded; the British Library (c64dd1) has a book from her time in exile, also with the royal arms and the letters "MR".