Oeuvres de Jean Racine, avec des commentaires, par M. Luneau de Boisjermain

First printing of this beautiful edition of Racine, illustrated with a portrait of Racine by Santerre, and 12 figures by Gravelot engraved by Duclos, Flipart, Lemire, Lempereur, Levasseur. Volumes VI and VII, which indeed bear the imprint "A Londres", are devoted to the prose works and have no figures, volume VII contains the correspondence. The illustration does include the portrait of Racine that Cohen does not mention. All the plays contain the various prefaces by the author as well as the commentary, and a historical presentation.
Presentation copy whose characteristic is the spine decoration, designed by Gravelot.
Contemporary full marbled and glazed calf binding. Spines very richly decorated with gilt anthropomorphic suns at the head, lyres and bees at the tail, gilt trophies at the center of the spine, gilt title framed with gilt laurels. Triple fillet border on the boards. All edges gilt. Headcaps of volumes V and VI worn. On the spine of volume I, a loss caused by impact. Small loss also on the spine of volume III. Losses to the outer edge of volume VI. Slight trace of pale dampstaining in volume II, in the upper margin up to pp. 16-17. Small loss to corner of p. 258 of volume III. Surface wear along the upper joint of volume I. Upper joint of volume V split and open at the tail. 10 corners slightly bumped. Some scattered foxing. Despite the noted defects, a very handsome copy.
Superb edition sought after for the fineness of Gravelot's engravings. List of subscribers at the end of the last volume. According to Quérard, the commentary attributed to Luneau de Boisjermain is actually by Blin de Sainmore who would have sold it to him, with the property rights. This edition, more complete than previous ones, contains everything that had been printed up to that time of Racine's writings including the Banquet of Plato, the pieces published by Louis Racine in 1747, the works attributed to Racine and certain pieces that were not found in previous editions.