Oeuvres complètes

New edition, handsomely illustrated with a portrait frontispiece engraved by Dupréel and eight figures hors texte by Fragonard fils, engraved by Dambrun, Duparc, Giraud le jeune, Pauquet, Lingée, Dupréel. Cohen does not record this edition.
Late 19th-century full blonde calf bindings, signed Petit successeur de Simier. Spine with five raised bands decorated with gilt compartments and fleurons as well as green morocco volume labels. Boards decorated with triple gilt fillets. Leading edges and headcaps decorated with double gilt fillets. Gilt dentelles framing the pastedowns. All edges gilt. Very handsome copy, in a highly decorative set.
Author of playful poetry, often libertine and light, well-crafted and amusing, which enjoyed great success, his works were first collected in 1711, then in 1746, shortly after his death in 1743. They saw many reissues. The fourth volume consists of attributed pieces. A good example of this poetry: "Le bègue. Un bègue voulait d'une dame/ Les bonnes graces acquérir,/ Et lui prouver l'ardente flamme/ Dont l'amour le faisait mourir. / Etant au bout de sa harangue,/ Ne pouvant plus mouvoir sa langue,/ Il eut recours à son outil;/ Puis le montrant et des yeux et du geste:/ Madame, excusez-moi, dit-il,/ Le porteur vous dira le reste." ["The stammerer. A stammerer wanted to acquire/ A lady's good graces,/ And prove to her the ardent flame/ With which love made him die. / Being at the end of his harangue,/ Unable to move his tongue any longer,/ He resorted to his tool;/ Then showing it with eyes and gesture:/ Madam, excuse me, he said,/ The bearer will tell you the rest."]
Bookplate. A. Jouffray. A L'Aventure.