François Foppens

New edition, translated from Spanish into French by sieur Du Perron Le Hayer. This edition is considered among the Elzevier editions printed in Brussels (Brunet). Epistle to Prince Charles, brother of King Philip IV of Spain. The first Spanish edition appeared in 1622.
Contemporary full glazed red morocco binding. Spine with raised bands decorated with 4 radiating tools and small framing tools, roulette at foot. Red morocco title label. Double fillet frame on covers. A tear with hole at head. Rubbing to headcaps, joints, corners and edges. One corner slightly bumped. Dark stains on upper cover. Scattered foxing, several gatherings yellowed. Although it appears a leaf is missing after the fifth in the preliminary pages, our collation matches the copy held at the University Library of Strasbourg.
Handsome copy in 17th-century morocco.
Manuscript gift inscription at end signed Paul. 1710. Bookplate of Charles V. D. Elst.
Biography in praise of Charles V with narration of his most celebrated deeds.

New edition produced by Denys Godefroy, the first dating from 1649. One folding genealogical table and 6 portraits re-engraved by Audran. Title pages in red and black. Volume III bears a specific title: Divers traittez, contracts, testamens, et autres actes et observations [...]. Volume IV: Supplement aux memoires.
Bindings in full speckled brown sheep. Spine with raised bands, decorated. Fawn morocco title labels. Gilt volume numbering. Lacks at head of volume I. One wormhole at foot of volume IV. 4 corners very bumped. Bindings rubbed and worn.
An essential work engendering modern history, Commynes' work, which moreover establishes a rule of political conduct for the Great ones of the kingdom, forms the greatest source for this period. From 1472 to 1483, after having been counselor to the Duke of Burgundy (Charles the Bold), Commynes entered the service of Louis XI, then of Charles VIII and Louis XII. He distinguished himself there through his diplomatic talents, notably in Italy; consequently, the Memoirs are also a history of Europe. Too often forgotten is that his exemplary career experienced an interlude of disgrace: opposing the young Charles VIII through his liberal ideas, he rallied to the cause of the future Louis XII (plot aimed at abducting Charles VIII). He was consequently arrested and locked in an iron cage at Loches for five months, in 1488.
To this day, the work still being studied, Commynes' Memoirs have never failed in success and interest. Denys Godefroy's critical edition replaced the one that had served as reference until then, Savage's version. This edition contains La chronique scandaleuse, the proofs and observations, Addition à l'histoire de Louis XI by Charles Naudé, Le cabinet du roi Louis XI by Tristan L'Hermite, L'éloge du roi Charles VIII by Brantôme, Comparaison du règne du roi Louis XII à celui du roi Louis XI by Claude de Seissel, Chronicles of the Dukes of Burgundy, Remarks on the history of King Louis XI by Varillas.

New edition after the original published in 1688 (a second volume was added later).
A handsome frontispiece portrait in medallion and a title vignette repeated in volume II. Title pages in red and black. Full red morocco binding late 19th century signed Thompson. Spine with raised bands decorated. Title and date gilt. Triple fillet frame on covers. Rich interior border. Edges gilt. Light rubbing at tail and lower edge. Scattered foxing. Handsome copy, perfectly executed. Madame Deshoulières was regarded as the foremost poetess of her time, and became moreover the first female academician. She held one of the most brilliant salons of the period, she was a refined and remarkably cultured mind, taking close interest in the sciences. Her poetry reflects the gallant spirit of the 17th century, but also its morality; the volumes bringing together songs, epistles, idylls, tragedies and occasional pieces. She was a précieuse, moving in the circle of Luxembourg with the Duchess of Montpensier and in a circle of libertines. The edition of her Poësies contributed greatly to her contemporary literary fame.

Second edition, the First edition of 1605 is extremely rare. Illustrated with a frontispiece depicting a hermaphrodite, with the inscription 'Je ne suis ni male ni femelle...' ["I am neither male nor female..."].

Contemporary sheep binding, worn. Decorated spine with raised bands. Lacking the title label. Light dampstaining to margins at end of work.

Considered the first French anti-utopia, this journey of a Frenchman weary of his country's ills to an island inhabited by effeminate characters, made-up and devoted to festivities and pleasures, is a satire of the disorders of Henri III's court, himself represented by king Hermaphroditus, woman king or man queen. The work brought considerable notoriety to its author, of whom little is known except that he left several scholarly translations. The work, which was compared to the Satyre ménipée, was presented to Henri IV, who forbade anyone from troubling the author.

New edition, more complete than the previous ones. The first dates from 1694.
Contemporary full marbled calf binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Red morocco title label. Red edges. Handsome copy.
Antoinette Ligier de la Garde was married at 13 to Sieur Deshoulières, a woman of taste and wit, she cared only to live as she pleased. She was however the first female academician (Arles). She was an original mind, whose verses contain a certain interiority. It was her friends who urged her to publish her poems which had considerable success. After her death her daughter published all of her poems, adding her own.