Claude-François Simon

First edition, of exceptional rarity. According to a manuscript note by Rousseau himself in the copy offered and dedicated in his name, the print run was only 27 copies (Catalogue librairie P. Bérès 59, no. 233). This edition never appeared in commerce, all copies were given by the author with names on the title page, written by the author. Ours has unfortunately been erased (the paper seems to have been scraped at this location) and has been replaced by the author's name in grey pencil. However, a manuscript name is found in the margin of one of the leaves: Decheppe, or de Cheppe, name of a noble family whose members at this time could be Marie-Jeanne Antoinette de Cheppe, or Jean-François de Cheppe. Printed on Holland paper.
Contemporary full brown calf binding. Spine with raised bands decorated. Brown calf title label. Rubbing. A small lack of leather at head revealing the board. 3 corners bumped. The red velvet bookmark pp. 200, 201 has left yellow stains. Some occasional scattered foxing.
Gallant and gently erotic novel whose story takes place in a seraglio in Aleppo. (Dictionnaire des oeuvres érotiques, p. 26.). Grimm, in his Correspondance littéraire, writes on 6 February 1761 that he awaits "avec une impatience extrême" ["with extreme impatience"] to read this novel. In Daïra, conte à la mode orientale, the author alludes to his wife, a former actress whose adventure with the Maréchal de Richelieu, whom she joined by means of a revolving chimney, had just caused a scandal and which was the cause of the couple's separation. The fermier général Le Riche de La Popelinière (1692-1762) remained famous for his luxury, his gallant adventures and the enlightened protection he granted to Rousseau, Rameau or Marmontel. Called the cherished child of the Muses by Voltaire, he received numerous artists in his residences in Paris and Passy.