Pierre-Ambroise-François CHODERLOS DE LACLOS

Pirate edition of 1812, imprint dated 1796. It features the exact pagination of the genuine 1796 edition, as well as the 13 plates and 2 frontispieces by Monnet, Mlle Gérard and Fragonard fils engraved by Baquoy, Duplessi-Bertaux, Dupréel, Godefroy, Langlois, Lemire, Lingée, Masquelier, Patas, Pauquet, Simonet and Trière. The pirate edition is identified by the letters “R. p. D.” in the plates' lower margins, as they have been retouched by Delvaux. In addition, the fillet preceding the date on the title-page is wavy, and the title is presented in seven lines rather than eight.

Bound in full morocco, slight rubbing on the corners, all edges gilt, splendid binding signed by...

First edition, rare, a C printing copy, known as “à la roue dentée” [dented wheel], with all the characteristics called for by Max Brun. The A, B and C printings were done consecutively and it was only from printing D onwards that notable differences appeared.

Contemporary half black polished calf, vellum corners, spine with fillets, title and volume numbers gilt. A little rubbing, especially to covers (with some paper lacks). Half titles lacking.

The various volumes have various flaws, we have listed them here carefully:
Volume 1 : narrow tear to title in...

CHODERLOS DE LACLOS Pierre-Ambroise-François
Les Liaisons dangereuses [Dangerous Liaisons]
Chez Durand neveu, Paris 1782, in-12 (9,5 x 17 cm), 248 pp; 242 pp & 231 pp; 257 pp., 4 volumes bound in 2, contemporary full calf
First edition, a ‘C' issue copy, known as the à la roue dentée issue, with all the characteristics as stated by Max Brun. Issues A, B, and C were printed one after the other and it is only from issue D onwards that there were significant differences.
Contemporary brown marbled calf, spine in six compartments richly gilt with fleurons as well as red morocco title-pieces, gilt fillet to edges of covers, all edges red. Foot of spines...

Reprint of the first edition also published in 1789. A second volume of these portraits would appear a little later.
In original wrappers. Title page margins worn.
The work is a series of portraits, with a key at the end of the book to identify them; it includes Necker, Guillotin, Sieyès... Luchet also participated in writing some of these portraits.