Roland LE VAYER DE BOUTIGNY

First edition, very rare.
Contemporary limp vellum binding. Smooth unlettered spine.
The author studies the various propositions of the king's edict concerning monasteries, especially what concerns the raising of the age for entering monasteries. If the work appears at first glance as a critique, it proves to be a defense of the edict, the author demonstrating and arguing, notably by recourse to history, the well-founded nature of the reforms, particularly regarding the question of priestly marriage.

New illustrated edition in first printing. The illustration comprises three frontispieces by Cochin, Moreau and Eisen, engraved by Gaucher, Ponce and Née; and 20 head-pieces by Eisen, engraved by Helman, De Longueil, Masquelier and Massard. Elegant illustrated work with careful page layout, printed on deluxe Holland paper, which explains why the work takes up considerably more space than the ordinary printing on laid paper, here 6 volumes against the usual 3.
Full speckled brown sheep binding ca 1800. Smooth spine decorated with 2 grotesque compartments, a fleuron and roulettes at tail. Orange morocco title and volume labels. Foliage frieze framing the boards. Rubbing. 3 corners...

New illustrated edition in first printing. The illustration comprises three frontispieces by Cochin, Moreau and Eisen, engraved by Gaucher, Ponce and Née; and 20 headpieces by Eisen, engraved by Helman, De Longueil, Masquelier and Massard. Elegant illustration with careful page layout.
Full blonde tortoiseshell calf bindings. Spines with five raised bands decorated with gilt compartments and fleurons, as well as red and green sheep title and volume labels. Covers framed with triple gilt fillets. Gilt dentelles framing the pastedowns. All edges gilt. Head and foot of first volume with small lacks, those of the other two volumes rubbed. Five corners bumped. Numerous and scattered foxing...

New illustrated edition in first printing. The illustrations comprise three frontispieces by Cochin, Moreau and Eisen, engraved by Gaucher, Ponce and Née; and 20 head-pieces by Eisen, engraved by Helman, De Longueil, Masquelier and Massard. Elegant illustrated work with careful layout.
Half olive green morocco binding with corners, late 19th century unsigned in a master binding. Spine with raised bands, decorated. Gilt title and date at tail. Gilt fillets on boards. Top edge gilt. Very pale dampstain on the first 4 leaves of volume II, at mid-page. Very handsome copy, perfectly established and of great freshness.
Novel originally published in 1665, which received its first...