Literature

First edition of the republication of this rare and anonymous text by Louis Lacour. By this date, the Académie des bibliophiles had published 18 rare and forgotten texts, bibliophilic curiosities. Limited edition of 200 numbered copies on laid paper, No. 10. Title page in red and black.

Contemporary half red shagreen binding with corners signed Gaetan Ronner at the top of the endpaper. Smooth spine. Gilt title. Uncut throughout. 

Bookplate: Library of Count F. de Rohan Chabot.

The author of this piece wrote this account based on the testimony given to him by Madame de Grammont. He depicts the Duke of Choiseul visiting the Princess of Guéménée while she was in her bath, to defend the Duchess of Lauzun whom the princess sought to dishonor. "The conversation between these two characters is a masterful piece of fine mockery..."

Very rare first edition for Le Gouté des porcherons, with the complete title Nouv. ed. augm. des Citrons de Javotte, histoire de carnaval. Et enrichie d'une Lettre amoureuse de M. Jambe de Creux, charbonnier à mademoiselle Catau, ravaudeuse. Le tout pour servir de Dessert au Déjeuner de La Rapée.
Third edition of La Pipe cassée and fourth for Bouquets poissards and Bouquets galants.
Contemporary half-sheep binding, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets and a blonde sheep title-label, paste-paper boards. Some rubbing and minimal paper lacks to boards. First leaves somewhat stained without gravity.
Les Porcherons is a former district of the Paris suburbs between La Pologne to the West and the faubourg Montmartre to the East.
All the texts of these poissard songs are very valuable for the study of 18th-century Parisian slang.
Only three copies on the American continent: Newberry, Toronto and Montreal.

New Plantin press editions in portable format of these three works. Ruled throughout in red ink.

Copy with the arms of Nicolas de Villars, clerical councillor at the Parlement of Paris and treasurer of the Sainte-Chapelle, later bishop of Agen.

Contemporary full soft brown morocco, a fanfare binding with the rare Duodo-type decoration: smooth spine gilt with six medallions each containing a flower, gilt foliage border, covers fully gilt with 24 medallions, some emblematic (sun, heart, acorn, bouquet, sheaf of wheat), arms stamped in the centre, edges gilt. Discreet restorations to joints, corners, and headcaps; upper and lower borders with minor wear to leather (0.5 cm); lacking ties; pinhole at head of spine. From the first title-leaf, a wormhole in the lower margin extending through to the final leaves of the Fables of Aesop, gradually diminishing.

A magnificent copy of the utmost rarity.

The singular decoration of this style of binding, representing one of the pinnacles of the art of French bookbinding, is today identified as Duodo, after Pierre Duodo, Venetian ambassador to Paris from 1594 to 1597. About 150 small volumes were uniformly bound for a portable library (only part now known), probably towards the end of his stay. It is unlikely he ever enjoyed these treasures, which fell into oblivion for nearly two centuries. When they reappeared on the English market at the end of the eighteenth century, they were mistakenly attributed to Marguerite de Valois, an error that persisted until the 1920s.

Although the name Duodo remains attached to this style of decoration, another great collector commissioned similar bindings: Nicolas de Villars, bishop of Agen. Duodo’s bindings are now well identified, while those of Nicolas de Villars are considerably rarer on the market.

While the spine here is very close to the Duodo examples, with flowers and foliage borders (though in a finer and denser design), the covers show 24 medallions, compared to only 14 on Duodo bindings, and the tools employed are not limited to floral motifs but include a variety of emblems such as the sun and the heart.

New edition. Limited to 150 copies, numbered and initialed by the publisher in manuscript. Copy no. 82. All pages with Renaissance-style chromotypography borders. Initial letters and rules, titles in gold. Preliminary notice by Albert de Rochas.

Modern full raspberry morocco binding signed by Christiane Pesquet. Smooth spine with title along length. Boards with wide bands of fleur-de-lis paper. The same paper is found on the endpapers, the second endpapers with gold paper. Spine uniformly lightened, otherwise handsome copy.

Copy with covers and spine preserved, uncut, full-margined, as issued.

This tale was written at the beginning of the 16th century and had several editions, the last of which seems to date back to 1555. The attribution to Jeanne de Flore is not certain but probable.

First edition. 2 volumes were added by the publisher in 1807 that the author had removed from the first edition as a precaution. Indeed, the 4 volumes of the first edition attracted severe criticism of the author because certain authors were still living, and Laharpe did not publish the following 2 out of consideration or prudence.

Contemporary full brown sheep binding. Smooth spine decorated with 2 fleurons and 2 urn stamps and roulettes. Owner's name at foot: J. Aubert. Title label and volume label in fawn calf. Garland frame on boards. Overall rubbed. 4 corners slightly bumped.
This literary correspondence, composed in the manner of Grimm's, is a series of critiques and judgments on ancient and modern authors, classics and contemporaries; it is essentially a chronicle of literary releases, theater and opera performances. Laharpe shows great severity in it.

New edition. Portrait frontispiece. Title pages in red and black.

Contemporary full glazed brown calf binding. Decorated smooth spine. Brown calf title-label, black calf volume label. Light rubbing. Fine copy, very fresh.
The first two volumes are devoted to the poetic works, the third to the comedies. These works contain the Odes, Cantatas, Epistles, Allegories, Epigrams, and the comedies (Le flatteur, Le capricieux, Le caffé, La ceinture magique). Jean-Baptiste Rousseau was considered the greatest lyric poet of his time; he is especially credited with writing the first French cantatas, this secular genre that was set to music by the most brilliant composers. However, the academic style of Rousseau's writing did not outlive him.

New illustrated edition with 232 figures, principally by Borel. Volume XIV contains an additional suite by Moreau, a suite by Marillier and another anonymous suite. Copy on vellum paper, the figures on heavy vellum. At the end of the publisher's notice, a leaf with the price of works: the 20 volumes in-18, fine paper, in wrappers with 18 engravings...30Fr. The same with 212 engravings, in wrappers...60Fr. The same, 17 volumes, deluxe vellum paper, figures from first proofs...120Fr. The volumes may be purchased separately by works. While at Princeton University and the Royal Library of Denmark one finds only the edition in 20 volumes with 18 engravings, this copy proves more desirable in 17 volumes on vellum. According to the British Library copy, the edition which announced 212 engravings offered only 205, so the others were added.
Contemporary half Russia leather binding. Smooth spine decorated with 4 small concentric fleurons and roulettes. Red paper on boards imitating long-grained morocco. Some rubbing, notably to corners. Scattered foxing. Lacking the table for volume X. Some leaves protruding. Uncut copy.
Details of the collection: Vol. I-VII, L'ami des enfans et de l'adolescence. Vol. VIII, Le livre de famille, ou Entretiens familiers sur les connaissances les plus nécessaires à la jeunesse; Vol. IX-X, Bibliothèque des villages. Vol. XI, Introduction a la connoissance de la nature, imitée de l'anglois; Vol. XII-XIII, Choix de lectures pour les enfans, ou Recueil de contes, d'anecdotes et de traits de vertu, choisis des meilleurs auteurs. Vol. XIV, Idylles, romances, et autres poésies de Berquin; Vol. XV-XVI, Sandford et Merton, imité de l'anglois. Vol. XVII, Le petit Grandisson, imité du hollandois.
The author Berquin (1747-1791) specialized very early in children's literature, being indeed the first to have done so. His children's books enjoyed great popularity and were very frequently reprinted throughout the nineteenth century. English and German children of the late eighteenth century knew Berquin's work very well. The greater part of l'ami des enfants consists of short theatrical pieces (historical, moral, childish...), but one also finds numerous short tales and romances, letters, as well as a shipwreck narrative. Thus one counts in the general table of contents 106 entries. L'ami de l'adolescence also contains moral theatrical pieces, and other pieces more narrative or more clearly pedagogical; one should note La relation d'un naufrage sur l'île Royale, and le Système du monde mis à la portée de cet âge. Certain works are entirely devoted to instruction and pedagogy, such as L'introduction à la connaissance de la nature (notably through animal figures), or the Entretiens sur les connaissances... Moreover, it is not that Berquin was the first to extend this literature that is important, it is rather that one can situate at this period the introduction of childhood into our cultures, and Berquin is precisely an eloquent testimony to this. Furthermore, it was undoubtedly among the first times that one found so many children represented in illustration.

New edition, after the original published in 1627 under the title: De proxeneta seu De prudentia civili. One frontispiece title.
Copy with the cipher and arms of the Duke and Duchess of Montausier.
Contemporary full brown sheep binding. Spine decorated with the crowned cipher of the Duke and Duchess of Montausier (repeated 3 times in each compartment). Brown sheep title label. Boards stamped with arms and ciphers in the corners and triple fillet frame. Red edges. Paper browned. Skilful and fine restorations to headcaps, joints and corners. Gilding faded in places. Good copy.
Major figure of the 17th century, Charles de Sainte-Maure was made Duke of Montausier and Peer of France in 1664, and received the appointment as tutor to the Dauphin in 1668. His marriage to the great précieuse of the time, she who was called the incomparable Julie, Julie d'Angennes, was one of the great affairs of his life. It was for her that he composed La guirlande de Julie, a collection of 62 madrigals composed by the most illustrious poets of the time including himself. The Duke of Montausier was finally the model for Molière's Misanthrope, which is still today one of his claims to fame. As for the Duchess, she was portrayed by Madeleine de Scudery in her novel: Artamène ou le Grand Cyrus. They both constitute eminent symbols of the century of Louis XIV.
Jérôme Cardan (or Girolamo Cardana) is one of the great Italian humanists of the Renaissance. His work, Arcana politica (The Science of the World or Civil Wisdom), appeared posthumously, was very successful and went through several editions.

First edition. A handsome allegorical frontispiece by François Chauveau engraved by Regnesson, a title vignette by Picart and various very beautiful engraved ornaments: headpieces, tailpieces, initials...

Contemporary full speckled brown sheep binding. Richly decorated spine with raised bands. Brown morocco title label. Head of spine split. Foot with lack. Joint cracked at foot. Corners very bumped.
Works of Latin poetry by Guez de Balzac, the edition prepared by Gilles Ménage. In appendix a selection of letters.

First edition, rare. As the foreword recalls, this short story by Madame de Genlis had originally appeared in the Bibliothèque des romans, volume V.

Contemporary full brown grained sheep binding. Smooth spine with 4 dots and fillets. Black calf title-label. One tear with small loss to upper cover. One corner slightly bumped. Fine copy, fresh. At end: Work by Madame de Genlis sold by the same bookseller.
The forgotten masterpiece of the Comtesse de Genlis, a short story with classical writing that responds so well to the writing precept she established: "clarity, naturalness, purity, elegance are the indispensable marks of good style", and to her conception of the short story: "in this last work everything must move toward the goal with rapidity, or everything must relate to it." Mademoiselle de Clermont recounts the authentic passion of young Marie-Anne de Bourbon-Condé, princess of the blood, for a duke whom her social rank forbids her to marry. In this true story reported to the author, no facility such as love at first sight, the outpouring of amorous language. The short story is brief, effective, stripped of all artifice. "Mme de Genlis the narrator constructs narrative structures where, through a subtle interplay between the time of telling and the time of what is told, narration in the past and commentary in the present succeed each other; frame narrative and embedded narrative. Amel ben Amor, Doctoral thesis in French Languages and Literatures." 18th Century Literature

Fourth collective edition for the first part and third for the second and third parts, published by Corneille himself. Our copy is adorned with the frontispiece of the first two editions (dated 1645), and the portrait of Corneille by Michel Lasne, dated 1644.

Later bindings in full blue morocco, Jansenist spines with five raised bands, endpapers and pastedowns framed with gilt dentelles of marbled paper, all edges gilt, marbled paper slipcases bordered with morocco, bindings signed by Alix.

Rare and beautiful copy elegantly bound.

New edition. An allegorical frontispiece engraved by Brunet and 16 figures illustrating country life.

Contemporary full glazed and marbled brown calf binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Red morocco title-label. Upper headcap worn. Upper joint cracked with lacks. Corners slightly bumped. Frontispiece browned in margins.

Didactic poem by Father Vanier (1664-1739), Jesuit, on country life. This is based on his illustrious model: Virgil.


 

New edition. Title pages in red and black. Armillary sphere on the title of volume I, fleuron or cipher on the second volume. Wood engraving of the "Divine Bottle", Volume II, p.327.
Contemporary full brown calf binding. Decorated raised-band spine. Tawny morocco title-label, tawny calf volume label. One lack at head of volume 1. Scuffing to headcaps and raised bands. Overall rubbed. Some foxing. Good set overall.
These works contain: The Life of François Rabelais; Particulars of the life and customs of François Rabelais; Author's Prologue; I. Book of the life, deeds and heroic sayings of Gargantua; II. and III. Books of the heroic deeds and sayings of Pantagruel; Vol.II: IV. Book of the life, deeds, &c. of Pantagruel; V. Book of the Navigations of said Pantagruel, the Ringing Island, the Island of the Apedests, with the Oracle of the Divine Bacbuc & the word of the Bottle; Pantagrueline prognostication [chapters I-X]; Epistle of the Limousin Pantagruel; The Philosophical Cream; Two epistles to two old women of different customs; Alphabet of the author François.

New collected edition of the works of Théophile. The third part contains the pieces written during his imprisonment until his death. Text in italics.

Contemporary full red morocco binding. Raised spine richly decorated. Red morocco title label. Edges gilt. Owner's initials in the tail compartment: BD (these letters are found handwritten on the title leaf with the number 68). Joint widely cracked along the tail compartment, without damage to the headcap. A hole of one cm in diameter on leaf 83 of the second part, with the loss of one word over three lines. Leaf 115 with three restorations resulting in the loss of two letters. Foxing, sometimes heavy.
These Works are divided into three parts, after Scudery's preface: The treatise on the immortality of the soul and the poetic work, the tragedies and the last pieces, his poetry written during his imprisonment.

The rare first French edition, translated by Jean-Baptiste Robinet, after the first English edition published in 1769. Four attractive separate engraved title pages. Changuion catalogue at the end of the third part. The edition shared in Paris with Le Jay appeared a few months later and does not have engraved titles.
Contemporary binding in full marbled brown sheep. Decorated raised-band spine. Beige morocco title label, tobacco morocco volume label. Triple fillet frame on boards. Loss to lower joint at foot of volume I. 3 corners bumped. Handsome copy, fresh overall.
Epistolary novel set in Canada. "The romantic customs of Canada and the manners of its inhabitants are described in this novel with great truth," Revue des Romans (1839). Frances Brooke (1724-1789), English woman of letters, lived in Canada where she had married an Anglican minister. A lieutenant goes to French Canada with the aim of establishing a settlement, and resides in Quebec, Montreal (of which he gives extensive descriptions). The lieutenant undertakes certain journeys in Canada, to New York, and shares his political reflections on the necessity of uniting the French and English, on the customs of the Hurons, etc. Very interesting novel about Canada around 1765 and the different colonies (definitive cession of French Canada to England in 1763).