Bibliotheque universelle des romans

First edition of this periodical, the inaugural volume of which appeared in 1776. Publication continued until 1789 and ultimately comprised 112 volumes; sets are consequently very difficult to assemble, particularly in uniform bindings.

Copy bearing unidentified arms.

Contemporary full brown sheep. Smooth gilt-decorated spine. Red morocco lettering-piece and volume label. Upper cover stamped with armorial devices. Headcaps defective in five places. Various abrasions. A few early cracks at the head of the joints.

In addition to a notably rich critical apparatus (introductions, commentary, and analyses), the series is arranged in each volume according to a predetermined scheme defining the various genres of the novel in eight categories: translations of Greek and Latin romances, chivalric romances, the historical novel, love stories, spiritual narratives, satirical and comic novels, historical novellas and tales, and works of the marvellous. Medieval narratives are well represented. Only extracts of the longer romances are provided, the "Bibliothèque universelle" incorporating them into a collection conceived as encyclopaedic in scope, aiming to encompass—chronologically—all novels written from their origins to the contemporary period.