Les desesperés, histoire héroïque

French first edition translated (and arranged) by Jean Serré de Rieux; illustrated with 9 figures including a frontispiece by Humblot, engraved by Baquoy. Not in Cohen (Livres à gravures du XVIIIe).
Contemporary full calf binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Red morocco title label. Head of spine weakened. Lacks at each joint at head and tail. Rubbing and scuffing to lower board particularly with lack at the joint of the fourth compartment. One tear p.97 in lower margin with lack. Corners slightly bumped.
Marini is a 17th century writer who belongs to the last wave of Italian chivalric romances. The novel features the prince of Babylon, knight of death, and the princess of Babylon, Zélinde, his sister, with whom he is passionately in love. Unable to possess her, he swears to kill anyone who might possess her. The narrative is written in a hyperbolic and poetic style, inspired by 16th century models, but decidedly more narrative, and more direct and tightened in its plot (which may perhaps be due to the translator's intervention).