Charles de Marguetel de Saint-Denis SAINT-ÉVREMOND

New edition, with the false imprint of Pierre Mortier, probably published by Claude Barbin. The preface presents the five-volume edition; the sixth volume was published in 1700 and contains L'éloge et le portrait de Saint-Evremont, Discours sur les critiques, Apologie des oeuvres de Mr. de Saint-Evremont... It is rarely found with the series of the first five volumes. 6 title pages in red and black, some with the sphere device, others with the Amsterdam effigy. Good printing.
Later (18th century) binding in full glazed blonde calf. Spine with raised bands decorated with compartments featuring foliage in the corners and a fillet at the tail. Blonde calf title and volume labels. Head of the first volume partially worn. Small lack to 2 boards. 3 corners slightly bumped. Traces of rubbing, particularly to the boards. The half-title of the first volume appears to be missing according to the collation of signatures. Only the half-titles of volumes 3 and 4 are present. Handsome copy, particularly fresh.
Charles Marguetel de Saint-Denis, seigneur de Saint-Évremond (1614-1703), was a moralist and libertine critic; his rigor and critical independence anticipated the Enlightenment philosophers, and he was perhaps the first author to make criticism a profession. He paid little attention to his writings, which circulated mainly in manuscript during his lifetime. This edition, which gathers various pieces by the author, including numerous letters, criticisms, historical research and poetry, is due to Abbé de Raguenet, who completed the collection with maxims by La Rochefoucauld, a piece by La Fontaine, a letter by Corneille... The literary success of Saint-Évremond led writers to attribute numerous works to him, such as these maxims by La Rochefoucauld, noticeably different from recent editions by the same author.

New edition, rare. The only quarto edition of Saint-Evremont's works. Barbin's flourished monogram on title page. The first "oeuvres meslées" appeared in 1668, without the content of pieces being similar from one volume to another. Barbin would thus publish several collections titled "Oeuvres meslées," sometimes adding new pieces. Ornamental headpieces, tailpieces and decorated initials. Privilege of 1688. This edition is often presented as a first edition and perhaps certain texts are indeed so here; in any case, Barbin required a new privilege to publish his work.
Contemporary full marbled and grained calf binding. Spine with raised bands richly decorated. Tobacco morocco title label. A slight lack to upper joint at head, a second to lower joint at foot. Gilding faded in places. Traces of rubbing. Handsome copy, in good fresh condition.
Manuscript ownership inscription "Abbaye de Contigny" on title page...
Here is what Brunet writes about the author: "Saint-Evremont attached his name to no important work, but almost all his writings are distinguished by an original style, by observations full of finesse, and by piquant criticisms." This edition contains 38 texts or parts. According to Barbin's notice, some appear for the first time. The first editions, according to Brunet, contained only 11 or 12 parts in a small duodecimo volume.

New edition. The privilege being dated 1697, it is not known whether this new edition differs from the one published by Barbin in 1693, Barbin himself being part of the Compagnie des libraires.
Contemporary full glazed brown sheep binding. Richly decorated spine with raised bands. Beige morocco title and volume labels. Head of volume I slightly worn, that of volume V split. Tail caps of volumes I and IV partly lacking. Wormholes on the spines of volumes IV and V. Some gatherings yellowed. Despite the mentioned defects, a copy with an attractive appearance.
Charles Marguetel de Saint-Denis, seigneur de Saint-Évremond (1614-1703), was a moralist and libertine critic, whose rigor and critical independence announced the Enlightenment philosophers, and was perhaps the first author to make criticism a profession. He paid little attention to his writings which circulated mainly in manuscript during his lifetime. This edition, which collects various pieces by the author, including numerous letters, critiques, historical research and poetry, is due to the abbé de Raguenet, who completed the collection with maxims by La Rochefoucauld (pp. 297-326 Vol. IV), a piece by La Fontaine, a letter by Corneille... The literary success of Saint-Évremond led writers to attribute numerous works to him, such as these maxims by La Rochefoucauld, substantially different from recent editions by the same author.

First edition of this collection, which contains maxims by La Rochefoucauld in interesting variants. Illustrated with a medallion portrait by Edelinck.
Contemporary full glazed fawn calf binding. Richly decorated raised spine. Red morocco title label. Despite some wormholes, fine contemporary binding. Corner dampstain to a few leaves. Some pages yellowed.
Charles Marguetel de Saint-Denis, seigneur de Saint-Évremond (1614-1703), was a moralist and libertine critic, his rigor and critical independence foreshadowed the Enlightenment philosophers, and he was perhaps the first author to make criticism a profession. He cared little for his writings which circulated mainly in manuscript during his lifetime. This edition, which gathers various pieces by the author, including numerous letters, is due to abbé de Raguenet, who completed the collection with maxims by La Rochefoucauld (pp. 208-271), a piece by La Fontaine, a letter by Corneille... Saint-Évremond's literary success led writers to attribute numerous works to him, such as these maxims by La Rochefoucauld, significantly different from recent editions by the same author