Jean-Baptiste de Boyer ARGENS

New edition, after the original published in 1735.
Contemporary full marbled brown sheep binding. Ornamented spine with raised bands. Blonde calf title label. One lack at head. One corner slightly bumped. Rubbing. Browning to margins of the first 2 leaves.
Novel and false autobiography, it was with this work that the Marquis d'Argens made his literary debut. "Real or imaginary, the picaresque escapades of this Provençal knight, whose sentimental caravans lead him to the Grand Turk's Divan, form a joyous amorous Odyssey. There follow in succession buffooneries of Italian comedy, sketches, reflections and obligatory adventures of the travel tale. The adventures of this resourceful...

New edition, following the original published in 1736/37 by the same publisher, but which contained only 180 letters compared to 203 for the subsequent ones. The table of contents occupies the space of the last volume.
Contemporary full blond calf binding. Smooth spine decorated. Red morocco title-label and black morocco volume labels. Head of spines of volumes II, III, and IV missing. Rubbing and surface wear to some boards. Some corners slightly bumped. Quite good set overall.
The Lettres juives are Boyer d'Argens' first literary contribution after his military career and his most remarkable book for its imagination and verve. The work was originally a periodical, with...

First edition, rare. A frontispiece depicting Isaac Meïo as frontispiece by the author, as well as a figure created by the same. Title page in red and black.
Contemporary full glazed calf binding. Spine with four raised bands decorated with a red morocco title-label. All edges speckled. Headcaps worn, joints cracked and corners slightly bumped. Some faint dampstains and a small tear at the bottom of page 15.
A worthy representative of the Age of Enlightenment, Boyer d'Argens is a philosophical writer, skeptic and pamphleteer; his series of critical and epistolary books, in the manner of the Persian Letters (Jewish Letters, Chinese Letters, Cabalistic Letters) made him famous. In...

New edition, reprint of the augmented edition of the second volume from 1740. It is illustrated with a portrait and a curious allegorical figure in the first volume, as well as a large title vignette to the epistle.
Title pages in red and black.
Contemporary full glazed marbled calf binding. Red morocco title label and volume labels. 3 corners slightly bumped. Light crack to the upper joint of volume II. Despite the noted defects, handsome copy, with very fine appearance.
Work of a free thinker of the Enlightenment, the philosophy of common sense is an examination of prejudices and all branches of knowledge in light of the postulate of scepticism; for the author this postulate...