Marie-Catherine de VILLEDIEU

New edition after the rare first edition published in 1671. Title page in red and black. The second work by Grimarest on the life of Molière is found in first edition (Chez Jacques Le Febvre et Pierre Ribou, 1706).
Full brown marbled sheep binding. Smooth spine decorated. Red morocco title-label. Lacks to head. Rubbing to headcaps, joints, corners and edges.
Gallant autobiography told in a light and witty manner that begins with an attempted rape and a murder. The heroine addresses her account to a highness who requested her story. The different episodes of her tumultuous and always gallant life thus always take the path of good taste and restraint. This is much closer to a classical language, far removed from the baroque excesses of Madame de Villedieu's time.