Les oeuvres

The most complete early edition, and the last, partly in first edition, before that produced in 1857 by Antoine de Latour (which was more exhaustive). "These two volumes, which follow the collection of French poets published by Coustelier, are difficult to find". Brunet, IV, 1071.
Full red morocco binding ca 1860 stamp-signed on the pastedown Belz-Niedrée. Spine with raised bands elegantly and richly decorated. Triple fillet frame on boards. Wide inner decorative border. Gilt edges. Traces of rubbing on the raised bands, the lower and upper joints of volume I with slight cracking, but without weakness, the upper joint of volume 1 restored. Overall very fresh. The title pages have been inverted without consequence, that of volume I appears before the contents of volume II and vice versa.
Very handsome copy, perfectly established.
Racan's poetry follows in the tradition of Desportes and Ronsard. Malherbe, his master whom he met at the age of 16, would reproach him for his nonchalance and excessive liberties, but considered him his most gifted pupil; indeed his writing is more fluid, but also more rustic. After Malherbe's death, Racan abandoned his pen for 20 years. Although desirous like his ancestors to distinguish himself in a military career, his dreamy and distracted nature brought him numerous setbacks and he eventually withdrew from it. He produced in 1619, at the age of 30, the poem that would make him famous: Les Bergeries, which is his most substantial work; and at 24, proposed by Richelieu, he would occupy a seat at the French Academy.