Joseph de LA PORTE

New edition with some parts in first edition and extensively expanded. Supplements would appear later to complete the list of dead and living authors, notably in 1778.
Contemporary bindings in full marbled and glazed blonde calf. Smooth spine decorated. Title-label and volume label in red morocco. Light lack at head of volume I. Slight rubbing. Volume label of volume II discolored. Handsome copy.
Complete title: La France littéraire, contenant, I. Les Académies établies à Paris et dans les différentes villes du Royaume. II. Les Auteurs vivans, avec la Liste de leurs ouvrages. III. Les Auteurs Morts, depuis l Année 1751 inclusivement, avec la Liste de leurs ouvrages. IV. Le Catalogue alphabétique des Ouvrages de tous ces Auteurs.
Red stamp on title page of both volumes: Charles Marie de la Condamine. Scientist and member of the Académie des sciences since 1730, he participated in numerous discoveries during his travels. Copies from his library are justly sought after.

First edition, rare.
The second part bears the title: Analysis of some good philosophical works, preceded by Reflections on criticism.
Contemporary full glazed marbled blonde calf binding. Smooth decorated spine. Red morocco title label. Triple fillet frame on boards and large arms struck at centers. Very fine copy. The second part has its own title page, as well as its half-title.
With the arms of the Princess de Ligne, Henriette-Anne-Eugénie de Béthizy de Mézières, wife of Prince Ligne (Claude Lamoral Hyacinthe Ferdinand, Marquis de Moy et de Dormans). Olivier I, pl. 15: two conjoined shields: I, grand quarters of Lorraine; overall: party, 1st or a bend gules (Ligne); 2nd, Lorraine simple; II, azure fretty or of six pieces (Béthizy). It should be noted that feminine arms are usually much rarer than masculine ones.
Freron's literary journal (declared enemy of the philosophers' party and principal target of Voltaire) had enjoyed considerable success since its creation in 1754, it still appeared in sheet form, later to form volumes. LE PREVOST D'EXMES establishes a formal critique of the periodist Freron and of the Literary review. Freron not only vilified the philosophers but the literature of his time. The second part, more philosophical, defends the cause of the philosophers and the work of several authors such as Diderot and Rousseau. Behind the criticism of Freron's enterprise, an ethics of writing and criticism is revealed. The work is composed in the form of letters addressed to a lady in London.
A very useful table of contents makes it possible to find the themes and reflections addressed as well as the authors.