L'infortunée sicilienne, histoire et aventures galantes et tragiques d'Adelaide de Messine: Nouvelle édition, ornée de figures en taille-douce

The first edition dates from 1722, it was illustrated with 4 figures. This new edition is illustrated with 5 unsigned figures, taken from the original. All editions of this novel appear uncommon. The title page does not contain the author's name. The fashion for exotic stories added a first title which is not found in other editions, and which could cause this work to be confused with that of Claude-François Lambert: L'infortunée sicilienne, ou mémoires et aventures de la comtesse Carini (1743). Not in Cohen (Livres à fig. XVIIIe).
Contemporary full blonde calf binding. Smooth decorated spine. Red morocco title label, and brown calf volume label. Pleasant copy.
The novel begins with a brief history of Sicily which places its destiny under the sign of tragedy. Sicily is dominated by Spain when this story of multiple adventures begins, and whose model is still to be sought in Heliodorus and the Greek novels.