Honorat de Bueil RACAN

The most complete early edition, and the last, partly in first edition, before that produced in 1857 by Antoine de Latour (which was more exhaustive). "These two volumes, which follow the collection of French poets published by Coustelier, are difficult to find". Brunet, IV, 1071.
Full red morocco binding ca 1860 stamp-signed on the pastedown Belz-Niedrée. Spine with raised bands elegantly and richly decorated. Triple fillet frame on boards. Wide inner decorative border. Gilt edges. Traces of rubbing on the raised bands, the lower and upper joints of volume I with slight cracking, but without weakness, the upper joint of volume 1 restored. Overall very fresh. The title pages have been i

The most complete early edition, and the last with some parts in first edition, before that produced in 1857 by Antoine de Latour (which was more exhaustive). "These two volumes, which follow the collection of French poets published by Coustelier, are difficult to find". Brunet, IV, 1071.
Contemporary glazed tawny calf binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Red morocco title label, black calf volume label. One lack at head of volume I. Linear lack along the third compartment of volume I, measuring 1.5cm. Traces of rubbing. The table has been placed at the end of the first volume. The binder has inverted the two half-titles, placing the first: Les Bergeries in the second volume, and

Fifth edition, the last revised and corrected by the author. Printed in italics.
Contemporary full brown grained sheep binding. Smooth spine attractively decorated. Red morocco title-label. Foxing. Handsome copy.
According to Louis Arnoult, Racan, (Histoire anecdotique et critique de sa vie et de ses œuvres. Paris, A. Colin. 1896), this is the best edition of the Bergeries. It is preceded by numerous pieces: the epistle to the king, the ode to the king, various sonnets to himself, letter to Malherbe. Racan composed this dramatic pastoral when he fell in love with Catherine de Thermes, alias Arthénice, in 1619. Caught up in the turmoil of war, being himself a soldier, he would not