Henry Desbordes

Substantially revised reissue of the first illustrated edition of the Contes et nouvelles en vers, published ten years earlier, in 1685, by the same Henry Desbordes. Two parts bound in one 12mo volume: (16) 236 pp. (2); (8) 216 pp. (2).

 

The illustration comprises two frontispieces and 58 half-page vignettes after Romeyn de Hooghe. Yet this apparent continuity with the 1685 edition conceals a thorough reworking. The earlier copperplates were not simply reused: the compositions were re-engraved in reverse. The frontispiece to the first volume thus reproduces the 1685 design in mirror image, now...

First edition. The additions and notes published in 1702 are bound with this volume.
Contemporary brown sheep binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Red morocco title label. Split headcaps. Corners slightly bumped.
Father Soris belonged to the order of Fontevraud, originally founded by Robert d'Arbriselles. The work takes the form of a long letter addressed to Pierre Bayle.

NB: This work is available at the bookshop on request within 48 hours.