François de FÉNELON

First complete edition.

It is illustrated with two frontispieces, twenty-four full-page engravings, and a folding map of Telemachus's travels. The portrait of Fénelon serving as frontispiece to the first volume is signed Baillieul and Duflos; the second frontispiece, together with the plates, is signed Bonnart fils and Giffart, while the map is drawn by Rousset and engraved by Berey. A few head-pieces, bandeaux, and ornamental initials. 

 

Bindings in full red morocco signed Chambolle-Duru, richly decorated covers, spine with five raised bands ruled in gilt, gilt panels and fleurons between the bands, author, title, volume number, place and date lettered in gilt on...

New edition, preceded by the Discourse on Epic Poetry and on the Excellence of the Telemachus poem by Ramsay. One portrait frontispiece and 11 neoclassical figures hors-texte under tissue guards in volume 1 and 13 in volume 2, totaling 25 figures.
Contemporary full glazed navy calf binding signed Thouvenin at the foot of volume 1. Raised band spine decorated with 3 richly ornamented compartments, series of fillets on the bands and roulettes at head and foot. Boards stamped in blind with a large central Restoration rosette and large Rococo corner ornaments, blind decorative border and gilt fillet frame. Interior decorative border. Gilt edges. Light rubbing. Some scattered foxing.

First edition. Another edition appeared on the same date from Florentin Delaulne in Paris. Title page in red and black.
Full old red morocco binding ca 1860, unsigned. Raised bands spine in Jansenist style decorated with blind compartments. Gilt title and "Edition originale" at foot. Double blind fillet frame on boards. Rich interior border. Edges gilt. Foxing, angular lack at head of leaf 45-46 not touching text, light rubbing at foot of spine, a very small marginal dampstain affecting some leaves at head, otherwise handsome copy, in an unsigned master binding.
Dialogue between A, B and C on the nature of eloquence, A having the role of Socrates and employing maieutics, B and C...

New edition preceded by observations by Cardinal de Bausset.
Half red shagreen binding, spine with four raised bands decorated with gilt double compartments with corner ornaments, frame of cold fillets on red paper boards, white watered silk endpapers and pastedowns, gilt edges, contemporary binding.
Small black stains on boards, endpapers lightly soiled, trace of a bookplate that has been neatly removed from one pastedown.

First edition of this conference given at the Institut catholique de Paris printed in a small number as this offprint.
Rare and handsome pamphlet.