First edition of all the texts comprising the collection. Each of the funeral orations features a title vignette with the arms of the deceased and a second as a title headpiece with a medallion portrait as well as a tailpiece. The dates of the orations range between 1695 and 1714. The two letters from Cardinal de Noailles that conclude the collection date respectively from 1712 and 1714.
Contemporary full brown speckled and glazed sheep binding. Spine with raised bands richly decorated. Havana morocco title label. Roulette on the leading edges. Rubbing to headcaps and joints. Scuffing and brown stains on the upper part of the front board. 2 dampstains on the Duke of Berry's oration, at top and bottom of page on the first 4 leaves. Good and solid binding.
Gift inscription "Guillaume Ranneville 1714" in pen on the endpaper.
The two letters from Cardinal de Noailles concern firstly a defense against his detractors and secondly a justification of his position on the Constitution Unigenitus which divided the French clergy; in this letter the cardinal reiterates his condemnation of the Port-Royal Bible.