French Revolution & Empire

New edition, partly original, expanded with a survey of Persia from the earliest times to the present day, together with annotations by the Orientalist and librarian Louis-Mathieu Langlès (cf. Quérard II, 133; Schwab p. 18; lacking in Blackmer and Atabey).

Contemporary full mottled calf, smooth spines gilt with decorative rolls and tools, black morocco-style shagreen lettering- and volume-pieces, gilt rolls on the caps (partly faded), gilt dentelle borders on the boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges.

For the folio atlas: contemporary half calf in fawn, smooth spine gilt with rolls and tools, brown lettering-piece, spine with some rubbing and restorations, red morocco title-label on the upper board, marbled paper sides, marbled edges.

In the first text volume, pagination skips from pp. 235 to 256 without loss; pp. 213–220 are transposed; all the plates in the atlas, including portrait and map, have been renumbered in blue ink stencil from 1 to 65; some occasional foxing on the plates.

Our atlas volume contains 1 portrait, 1 folding map, and 83 views and figures on 63 plates (numbered [1] to 82, including one 81bis, with some numbering errors). Most figures are full-page; several plates include two or more subjects; nine plates are large folding plates.

A pleasing copy, attractively bound at the time, with the atlas in a different contemporary binding.

Rare first edition of this pamphlet printed at Carouge, Switzerland. Deschamps, 276, records 1789 as the date of the first book printed in that town (on the authority of a note by Ternaux).

Our copy is preserved in its original stitched wrappers, within a modern blank temporary cover.

Title-page and final leaf slightly soiled, early marginal note in the right margin of p. 19, blue pencil annotations at the foot of pp. 10 & 11.

A text violently hostile to Kellermann (1735–1820) and to the French presence in the Alps.

Kellermann commanded the Army of the Alps while Bonaparte was conducting his Italian campaign.

Second edition, largely original in its own right as it was substantially enlarged, to which was added a "Lettre sur l'instruction des aveugles", addressed to the author in 1816 by Mr Isaac Roquès of Montauban, himself blind, together with a selection of his poems.

Our copy is preserved in its plain grey temporary wrappers, the spine faded and showing small losses.

The first edition had been issued at the same Montauban address in Year VI of the Republican calendar.

First illustrated edition with 5 plates (cf. Coll. Émile Brouwet, II (2), 168).

Half black shagreen binding, smooth spine decorated with gilt and blind fillets, title lettered lengthwise in gilt, joints and caps rubbed, title repeated on the upper cover, paper labels pasted to the lower left corner of the upper cover and the upper left corner of the inside back cover, bookplate pasted to the inside back cover, original front wrapper preserved, corners worn, mid-19th-century binding.

Some light foxing.

The five finely line-engraved plates by Cavelier and Pierron after drawings by Pierre-Paul Prud’hon bring together a selection of pieces of imperial furniture.

The first set — a firescreen, a dressing table with its mirror, an armchair, and a washstand — was executed in vermeil with lapis inlays and presented to Empress Marie-Louise on 15 August 1810. This important commission was the joint work of the chaser-founder Thomire, awarded a gold medal at the Exhibition of 1806, and the silversmith Odiot. The three plates devoted to it preserve its memory, as the ensemble was largely melted down in 1832.

The final two plates depict the celebrated cradle of the King of Rome, in vermeil, mother-of-pearl and burgau shell — the fruit of the same two craftsmen — which was presented by the City of Paris on 5 March 1811, before the arrival of the imperial child, and is now preserved in Vienna.

Thomire alone later produced a second example in elm burr and gilt bronze, following the same design and faithfully reproducing certain elements such as the two bas-reliefs of the Seine and the Tiber. This second cradle is now at the Château de Fontainebleau.

Provenance: from the library of Prince Demidoff (San Donato stamp), then from that of Prince Roland Bonaparte, with his bookplate and label N.

Autograph manuscript signed by Gracchus Babeuf. Three pages on three leaves and nine lines (on the verso of the first leaf). He still writes under the name François-Noël Camille in the autograph manuscript heading on the first leaf ("F.N. Cam. Babeuf citoyen français"). Autograph pagination in the upper left corner of each leaf. Minor marginal tears not affecting the text, occasional foxing, slight horizontal center fold.

This long discourse is one of the first significant documents in which Babeuf, the Marat of Picardy and precursor of communism, speaks about himself after devoting his pen to defending the rights of peasants and workers since the beginning of the Revolution. In this veritable revolutionary credo, Babeuf replaces the rejection of Satan with that of the aristocracy and its works. He intends to prove that his past as a feudiste (whose work consisted in reconstituting or recovering the deeds by which lords could claim to collect from peasants rights that had fallen into disuse) paradoxically makes him the most qualified to abolish the feudal regime and its property privileges - ultimately achieving the desired community of goods.

"Feudality is nothing but a system of slavery and tyranny; my homeland wishes to be free, it must preserve nothing of what relates to such a regime. Recently, speaking to me of the former lords, I was asked very seriously this question: - do you renounce them? -yes, I replied, I renounce them and forever."

First edition illustrated with 1 large folding map: "Carte de la côte occidentale d'Afrique depuis le Cap Barbas jusqu'au Cap Tagrin par Lapie, Ingénieur Géographe (et) gravée par P.F. Tardieu" (cf. Gay 2905.)

Our copy in original stitched wrappers with interim covers lined with marbled paper.

Light dampstaining to the right margin of the final leaves.

Important details on the slave trade in connection with the Gorée Island stopover at the end of the volume.

Pierre Labarthe (Dax 1760 - Paris 1824) was appointed head of the Bureau of Eastern Colonies and African Coasts in 1794, a position he held until 1808.

He had gathered numerous authentic documents and important observations which he recorded in works still consulted with profit. (Cf. Hoefer.)

Rare first edition.

Our copy is preserved disbound.

The sole edition of this uncommon pamphlet issued in the context of the Russian Campaign: "Ce Précis historique sur les Cosaques ne pouvait paraître dans une circonstance plus favorable que dans le moment où la Russie est devenue le théâtre de la guerre".

The son of the Paris bookseller Noël-Jacques Pissot (1724–1804), Noël-Laurent Pissot (1748–1815) at first followed in his father’s footsteps: admitted to the booksellers’ guild on 19 April 1768, he worked chiefly in partnership with him and specialised in the publication and sale of works in English or translated from the English. From July 1797 he was, together with his father, employed at the Bibliothèque de l’Arsenal, and from 1802 onwards he published numerous historical works and essays, novels, melodramas, and political pamphlets, notably of an anti-Bonapartist nature.

First edition, illustrated with two plates, including an engraved portrait frontispiece by S. Desmaretz and Couché after Scheibler, together with an engraved headpiece by De Launay (cf. Quérard, VII, 240; Polak, 7650).

Account of the career of Jean Bart, squadron leader in the French Navy and Knight of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis, forming part of the collection devoted to the nineteen engagements of this celebrated seaman, engraved by M. Le Gouaz; followed by historical, biographical and topographical notes on the origins of Dunkirk and the political importance of its port (...). With engraved plates and vignettes. Dedicated to H.E. the Minister of the Navy and the Colonies. Paris, Arthus Bertrand [printed by P. Didot the Elder], 1807, 8vo.

Contemporary half cherry calf, smooth spine very slightly cocked and tooled in gilt with fillets, garlands and fan tools, marbled paper sides, marbled edges, corners a little rubbed; mid-19th-century binding.

Paper repairs to the lower outer corners of pp. 125–126 and 127–128.

The only edition of this very rare short monograph, published as much in praise of Dunkirk as of Jean Bart. The second part bears its own title: Coup-d'oeil sur Dunkerque, sa population progressive depuis 1685 jusqu'en 1789, et le grand nombre de ses célèbres marins qui ont précédé et suivi Jean-Bart. A lawyer from Dunkirk, Louis-Eugène Poirier (1753–1818) came to notice after the fall of Robespierre for his vehement denunciation of the actions of Joseph Lebon at Arras.

First edition, published anonymously by Delaporte,  secretary and prompter of the Comédie-Française.

Contemporary black cloth Bradel binding, smooth spine, red shagreen lettering-piece with some loss, marbled paper boards, upper corners slightly worn, 19th-century binding.

Copies recorded only at the BnF and in Rouen (CCFr).

Printed initials at the foot of the title page.

Rare summary, by the Comédie-Française secretary and prompter, of the grievances held by the Company against the actor Talma, focusing particularly on performances of Marie-Joseph Chénier’s play Charles IX.

The play, which achieved immense public success, drew criticism from the Gallican Church, leading to its ban after the 33rd performance.

On July 21, 1790, the play was performed again in defiance of the ban. The Comédie-Française troupe then split between the "revolutionaries" and the other shareholders, who refused to perform with Talma.

First edition, with a single copy recorded in the CCF (Dijon).

Our copy is preserved in its original wrappers and housed in a plain blue interim cover, with a mounted title label at the head of the spine.

Some foxing.

The sole edition of this compilation, conceived primarily for fiscal purposes: indirect taxes at the time were levied chiefly on beverages.

The bookseller Louis Rondonneau (1759–1834) is renowned as the author, compiler, or editor of numerous legal codes, manuals, collections, and repertories of legislation and jurisprudence.

First edition printed in two columns, one in French and the other in Italian.

Not recorded by Starace or Roland Bonaparte.

Contemporary limp vellum-style boards, smooth unlettered spine; covers soiled.

Some scattered foxing; one quire working loose.

Autograph letter signed by Gracchus Babeuf, dated 8 Pluviôse [Year II] (27 January 1794). Two and a half pages on a reused bifolium, the letter written around an earlier inscription by Babeuf: “Histoire des Conspirations et des Conspirateurs du Département de la Somme ; Qui comprend celle des Persécutions et des quatre Procès criminels intentés, depuis 89, à un second Marat, son émule dans le Département”. 

Published (except for the title Histoire des Conspirations…, omitted in the description of the letter) in Victor Advielle, Histoire de Gracchus Babeuf et du babouvisme d'après de nombreux documents inédits, vol. I, 1884, pp. 101-102. 

An extraordinary torrent of curse words by the revolutionary and proto-communist Gracchus Babeuf, addressed to his eldest son, who would later help disseminate babouvism. Babeuf writes on a reused leaf bearing the full title of one of his lost works hitherto known only in part: "Histoire des Conspirations et des Conspirateurs du Département de la Somme ; Qui comprend celle des Persécutions et des quatre Procès criminels intentés, depuis 89, à un second Marat, son émule dans le Département" 

First edition of the French translation and notes prepared by Billecocq (cf. Sabin, 41879; Leclerc, 943; Field, 947; Howes, 443; Staton-Trenlaine, Bibliogr. of Canadiana, 597 for the original edition).

Half mottled calf, smooth spine decorated with gilt tools, brown shagreen title-piece, marbled paper boards slightly darkened and faded at the edges, red edges; modern binding.

Stamp on the half-title, a light marginal dampstain affecting the outer margins of the final leaves.

Illustrated with a folding copper-engraved map by P. F. Tardieu, “Des pays situés à l'ouest du Canada”.

“The interest of the work lies in the detailed and relatively objective descriptions it provides of Indigenous life (…) The work is also of great value for its extensive lists of terms used by the Inuit, the Agniers, the Algonquins, the Mohegans, the Chaouanons and the Saulteaux.” Cf. Dictionary of Canadian Biography, IV, pp. 524–525.

First edition, illustrated with four tinted plates, including a frontispiece (cf. O'Reilly & Reitman, Tahiti, 6452).

Contemporary half plum sheep, the spine faded and decorated with gilt garlands and floral tools, some rubbing to the spine, marbled-paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, a few worn spots along the edges.

Scattered foxing, the plates evenly toned.

The work offers a history of the island, written in the aftermath of its annexation following the cession of his domains by King Pomare V. It provides an overview of the voyages of Quirós, Wallis, Bougainville and Cook, a portrait of Tahitian life a century earlier, and a sketch of the island’s development since the arrival of the first missionaries.

Chapter V is devoted to the principal episodes of Captain Cook’s three voyages to Tahiti: encounters with the inhabitants, meetings with local chiefs, the revolt on the island of Eimeo, visits to the surrounding islands... (pp. 107–220).

Joseph Bournichon (1839–1924) was a priest and the author of several edifying monographs.

First edition of these observations and proposed reforms concerning the Navy. Pierre-Alexandre Forfait (1752–1807) served as Minister of the Navy from November 1799 to October 1801.

Contemporary full fawn calf, mottled and polished, smooth spine tooled with gilt decorative compartments and false bands, red shagreen lettering-piece, joints lightly rubbed, boards framed with delicate gilt rolls, a few abrasions and small losses to the leather at the lower edges, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, corners softened, all edges gilt, a period binding.

Pierre-Alexandre Forfait (1752–1807) served as Minister of the Navy from November 1799 to October 1801.

Forfait and Bonaparte met in Venice around 1798, and it was he who "forma" the future Emperor in the principles of naval warfare that Napoleon would later wage against England.

In this pamphlet, he characterises the English in the following terms « … ces dominateurs des mers ne donneront jamais le temps nécessaire pour recréer et former une marine par les moyens ordinaires, la navigation marchande ou la pêche … Comptez qu'ils vous déclareront toujours la guerre, ou vous la feront sans la déclarer, avant que vos forces navales aient pu atteindre son degré de développement qui puisse les inquiéter ».

The plan of 21 July 1803, in which the flotilla was to operate without the support of the Navy, clearly demonstrates the deep influence Forfait’s ideas had on Bonaparte.

However, the group formed by Decrès, Ganteaume, Bruix and Villeneuve during the Egyptian campaign exerted a powerful influence on Napoleon; and Decrès ultimately succeeded in definitively supplanting Forfait.

Provenance: manuscript ex-libris of Decrès mounted on a pastedown; he succeeded the author as Minister of the Navy and remained in office until 1814.

First edition (cf. Martin & Walter, 16 491; Monglond III, 630; not in Schefer, Blackmer or Atabey).

Bradel binding in full marbled paper boards, smooth spine with a vertically lettered fawn sheepskin label, red edges; a modern binding.

Some foxing; marginal staining to the upper edges of the final leaves.

Excellent abridgement of General Hénin de Cuvillers’ diplomatic mission to Constantinople (1793–1795).

Upon his return from Turkey, Hénin (born 1755) took part in the Italian campaign of 1796 and was wounded at Caldiero and Arcole.

Appointed in 1802 as assistant to the general staff in Saint-Domingue, he was entrusted by Rochambeau with the colony’s military archives, which he brought back to Paris in 1804.

His military career under the Empire ended in 1813, when he was required to justify himself before the Grenoble court martial following the evacuation of the Simplon, deemed too hasty.

Granted retirement in 1815, he lived until 1841.

The 164 dispatches summarised in this volume provide valuable insights into diplomatic life in Constantinople, relations with the Revolutionary government, news from the Asian trading posts, the situation in the Levant, and maritime and military affairs.

Rare first edition, illustrated with two vignettes: one on the title page and another at the head of the opening text leaf (cf. Backer & Sommervogel VII, 185, no. 58.)

See Brunet, "Recherches sur les imprimeries imaginaires, clandestines et particulières", p. 19.

Printed on the private presses of the Turin Court of Appeal, the work offers a detailed account of the miraculous phenomena reported in Rome between July 1796 and January 1797. The author rebuts, in particular, the sceptical reactions of the "fiers à bras du philosophisme".

Our copy is preserved in its original drab paper wrappers, the spine cracked, the covers soiled, a few spots, a pale dampstain at the head of the first leaves, and an inked stamp on the title-page.

Jean-Joseph Rossignol, born in Vallouise or La Pisse (Hautes-Alpes) on 3 July 1726, entered the Society of Jesus in 1742. He taught the classics, rhetoric, and philosophy at Marseille and, after the suppression in France (1762), at Vilna, where he directed the observatory. After 1773 he joined the Collegio dei Nobili in Milan, where he taught physics and mathematics for eighteen years. He died in Turin in 1817.

First edition of the French translation (cf. Atabey, 557 (text) and 569 (atlas). Blackmer, 788 (atlas). Hage Chahine, 2105.)

Contemporary half brown shagreen, spines uniformly sunned and faded, raised bands framed with black fillets, marbled paper boards, comb-marbled endpapers, gilt edges; a few lightly rubbed corners, one small defect to the foot of the edges of the fifteenth volume.

Some light foxing in the text volumes.

The atlas volume, folio, is issued in parts under ten beige paper wrappers with printed blue labels; the wrapper of part 6 is lacking; the general map of the Ottoman Empire has been restored in the final part; light foxing to the covers.

The original German edition was published in Budapest in ten volumes between 1827 and 1835. The illustrations comprise thirty-nine maps and plans—principally battle plans—prepared by the translator J. J. Hellert. The text includes eight folding genealogical tables of Ottoman princes and high dignitaries.

Joseph von Hammer, a renowned Austrian orientalist and diplomat, was born in Graz (Styria) in 1774. He entered the Royal Academy of Oriental Languages in Vienna, where he studied Turkish, Persian and Arabic. In 1799 he undertook his first journey to Constantinople; the following year he joined the British admiral Sidney Smith in the campaign against the French in Egypt as interpreter and translator. He attended the grand vizier’s council at Jaffa and the surrender of Alexandria. In 1802 he became secretary to the Austrian legation in Constantinople, from which he travelled into Asia Minor and Greece. Posted in 1806 to the consulate-general at Jassy in Moldavia, he was appointed interpreter at the Viennese chancellery in 1807. In 1817 he rose to the rank of court councillor. After inheriting the estates of the Counts of Purgstall, he added their name to his own and was created baron in 1835. He translated numerous oriental works into German and played a major role in the founding of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, serving as its first president from 1848 to 1849. He died in Vienna in 1856. "Aucun orientaliste avant lui n'a connu plus intimement les peuples musulmans et n'a autant contribué à nous faire connaître leurs mœurs, leur histoire et leur littérature […]. Il passa trente ans à réunir les documents [de son Histoire de l'Empire ottoman], qu'il a tirée de manuscrits orientaux et des archives de Saint-Marc à Venise, de celles de Vienne, et de tous les ouvrages publiés en Europe sur l'Empire ottoman" (Hoefer, XXIII, 259-267). Provenance: S. H. Weiss bookshop in Constantinople, located on the Grande Rue de Pera opposite the Russian consulate (label in each text volume).

Rare work. 

Second edition of this monumental work of historiography.

The collation of the text volumes (74 steel-engraved plates) conforms to the list of plates given in volume XX (with the exception of the plate depicting the French before Moscow, which is lacking), but does not match the plate count of the first edition, as certain plates were not reissued. The atlas corresponds to that of the first edition and is complete with its 66 maps.

Some foxing, mainly affecting the edges.

Handsome bindings of red half morocco with corners, the spines with five raised bands and triple blind-ruled compartments, a few minor abrasions without consequence to three spines, marbled paper sides, comb-marbled endpapers and pastedowns, gilt top edges, for the 21 text volumes; and a contemporary binding of red half sheep for the atlas, the smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets and tools, a few black marks to the spine, red paper-covered boards lightly soiled at the margins, corners rubbed.

First edition of this rare album illustrated with 18 lithographed plates, including the title-frontispiece (see Inventaire du Fonds Français, VII, 243, no. 21).

This unbound suite is housed in a grey cloth chemise and matching modern slipcase, spine unlettered with two tears at head and tail, plain boards, light soiling to the lower board.

Some scattered foxing.

First collected edition of the works by the author of Les Étourdis ou le Mort supposé, a comedy that enjoyed great success just before the Revolution.

The set includes a portrait frontispiece in the first volume, four engraved plates, and ten engraved headpieces.

Bound in contemporary full polished and mottled brown calf, gilt decoration, smooth spines with six false raised bands highlighted with gilt fillets and repeated gilt floral tools, gilt fillet frames on covers bordered with a garland roll, gilt tooling to head- and tailpieces, green morocco spine labels, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, gilt edges on boards, marbled edges, contemporary bindings.

Some foxing to a few leaves of volume IV and to the endpapers, with minor surface abrasions to the covers.

Poet and playwright F.-G.-J.-S. Andrieux (1759–1833) was for a time drawn to politics under the Consulate.

He is remembered for his famous retort to Bonaparte, who reproached him for his opposition in the Tribunate: « Citoyen Premier Consul, on ne s'appuie que sur ce qui résiste ».

In literature, however, his ultra-classical tastes prevented him from recognizing the genius of Balzac, of whom he said, after hearing Cromwell: « Ce jeune homme doit faire quoi que ce soit, excepté de la littérature ». A splendid copy in Bradel-Derome le jeune bindings (cf. Coligny, Bradel-Derome, type A-T2), bearing a printed label on the pastedown of the first volume and, beneath it, the bookplate of the library of Vicomte E. de Bourbon-Busset (1799–1863).

First edition of this study in political economy.

Three copies listed in OCLC, all in the United States. BMC records only the second edition (London, 1809).

"Sur quelle base reposent les gouvernements, les lois, les peuples, les autorités, les souverainetés, les partages, les propriétés, les distinctions, les inégalités : voilà le problème important dont on s'occupera dans cet ouvrage."

Some small losses of paper to the spines and corners, rear cover of the first volume soiled, a pleasant, clean interior.

Rare copy preserved in its original grey wrappers.

Very rare first edition, bilingual, quarto in format and printed on laid paper, of the Corsican cahier de doléances.

(Cf. Starace 4747. Not in Roland Bonaparte. Conlon, xxiv, 89:1617, who notes only the 32-page octavo edition. No copy located in CCF or Worldcat.)

Our copy is preserved in a plain grey paper wrapper, with minor internal flaws, a few discreet paper restorations to the lower right margin of the opening leaves, not affecting the text.

"Les cahiers des Tiers, en même temps que des mesures spécifiques, exigent les mêmes réformes que le reste du royaume. Cette imbrication du régional et du national est jalonnée d'événements illustrant la dynamique révolutionnaire: agitation lors des assemblées primaires, émeute de Bastia le 1er mai 1789, "révolution municipale" du mois d'août à l'annonce du 14 Juillet parisien et sous le signe de la cocarde tricolore..." Soboul, Dict. hist. de la Révolution française.

Among the specific measures requested are the following: authorisation for Corsican vessels to fly the Moor’s Head on the French white ensign (as several towns and provinces of the kingdom already displayed their own arms); establishment of a university at Corte funded by the former revenues of the Carthusians, Jacobins, and Olivetans; establishment of a lazaretto to facilitate trade with the Levant; creation of a free port; preference in appointments to be given to Corsicans or to French inhabitants established on the island, etc.

Light foxing to the lower and upper right corners of the leaves, not affecting the text.

A well-preserved and appealing copy.

First edition published anonymously, the work of the Bayonne man of letters Coste d'Arnobat (1732–1808), probably based on accounts provided by English merchants (cf. Barbier IV 1060).

Contemporary half sheep in dark brown, smooth spine tooled with gilt floral motifs, gilt initial “V” at the foot, some rubbing to spine and joints, a small marginal loss at the head of the spine, marbled paper boards, yellow sprinkled edges.

A dampstain affecting the folds of the final ten leaves.

An account of Bambouc, a region of Upper Senegal particularly noted for its gold mines and inhabited by the Mandinka people.

This narrative, later translated into German, offers highly valuable information on the activities and customs of the Malinké of Upper Senegal. Coste appended to it an essay on the Indian castes (pp. 65–113), “d’après les mémoires d’un savant observateur qui a vécu trente ans dans l’intérieur de l’Inde,” followed by two further dissertations on Holland (pp. 117–312) and on England (pp. 315–358), countries he visited in 1774.

First edition, illustrated at the end of the volume with tables printed on two large folding plates included in the pagination (cf. Ferguson 2165a.)

Contemporary half bordeaux shagreen, the spine very lightly faded, with five raised bands framed by black fillets, marbled-paper boards, comb-marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers marginally soiled and showing small preserved restorations, edges untrimmed, modern binding signed Laurenchet.

Botany Bay, on the eastern coast of Australia, had been chosen in 1787 by the British government as a place of deportation. This study seeks to demonstrate the ineffectiveness of penal colonies at a time when the proposal to establish one in France still had many supporters.

A pleasing copy.

First edition illustrated with a lithographed portrait of the author by Langlumé as a frontispiece (cf. Atabey 45. See Blackmer 60 and Weber 105 for the enlarged second edition, published the same year with a different frontispiece).

Half cherry calf binding, spine with four raised bands framed with gilt garlands, decorated with blind and gilt tooling, gilt rolls at head and tail, black morocco title-piece, marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges, contemporary binding.

Some light foxing, blind-stamped ex-libris of Giannalisa Feltrinelli at foot of first endpaper. Repair to the outer margin of the last two leaves, not affecting the text.

Stay on the island of Elba, return to France, Waterloo, the Villefranche affair, the trial, stay in Switzerland, Constance, Munich, Dresden, Warsaw, Krakow, Galicia, Jassy, separation of the two brothers, Constantinople, Smyrna, Naxos, Athens, Janina, Ali Pasha, flight from Janina, passage through St. Maur Island, Corfu, Cattaro, Ragusa, Trieste, landing at Ancona, visit to Rome, stay in Livorno, Lucca, Genoa, Turin, and return to France.

"First Édition edited by two of his friends from Bacheville's notes (…) The two brothers were accused of conspiracy and fled France after the Restoration. Barthelemy joined Ali Pacha; Antoine travelled to Egypt, Persia and Arabia, to die in Muscat. The engraved frontispiece is a portrait of Antoine. The frontispieces in the two Éditions are not the same; that in the second Édition depicts the brother's separation" [Leonora Navari]. A handsome copy in a contemporary Romantic binding.

Rare first edition (cf. Martin & Walter 25 395).

Contemporary half-sheepskin bindings, the spines smooth and gilt-ruled in double fillets, boards covered in rose-papered pasteboard, red sheepskin lettering-pieces and green volume labels, yellow edges; corners rubbed, bindings of the period.

Some rubbing and faint staining to the spines and boards with small losses to the rose paper, a tiny hole at the head of the spine of the first volume, scattered foxing and a few marks to the edges, not affecting the text.

Bound at the end of volume II is another work by the same author: "Appel au tribunal de l'opinion publique. Du rapport de M. Chabroud, et du décret rendu par l'Assemblée nationale le 2 octobre 1790. Examen du mémoire du Duc d'Orléans, et du plaidoyer du comte de Mirabeau, et nouveaux éclaircissemens sur les crimes du 5 et du 6 octobre 1789", printed in Geneva, s.n., 1790 (title, ij pp., pp. 3–352). First edition as well, and uncommon, of this refutation of the tendentious report delivered by Chabroud, president of the Constituent Assembly, concerning the riots of 5 and 6 August 1789.

Very rare first edition (cf. Monglond VII 661).

Contemporary half brown sheep with corners, smooth spine gilt with floral tools and fillets, rubbing to spine and joints, marbled paper boards, grey endpapers and pastedowns, corners softened, yellow edges.

Pleasant, clean interior.

A shadowy figure who was by turns (and at times simultaneously) a secret agent, Tallien’s associate, a Revolutionary pamphleteer, and a double agent under the Directory and the Empire, Méhée de La Touche (1762–1827) left in 1784 on a covert diplomatic mission to Poland and Russia, from which he was expelled at the end of 1791. The correspondence he publishes here (running from 1788 to July 1791) abounds in valuable information on the social and political situation of these countries at the close of the eighteenth century.

Rare collection, in first edition, of political texts relating to the affairs of Belgium (shaken by the Brabant Revolution since 1787) and the Netherlands (whose opponents of the Stadtholder had often taken refuge in France).

As indicated by the handwritten table bound at the beginning of the volume, this copy constitutes only the first of a series of collections compiled by Roederer (see below) from the memoirs and pamphlets he received while serving as a member of the Constituent Assembly.

Contemporary full mottled fawn calf, smooth spine gilt-decorated with garlands and urns (partly faded), rubbed head- and tailpieces, green morocco title-piece, gilt dentelle and garland borders on the covers, gilt fillet on the edges, corners rubbed, yellow edges sprinkled with red.

Some foxing at the end at the last booklet.

The contents are as follows:

 - I. Mémoire pour les patriotes Hollandois réfugiés en France. S.l.n.d. [Paris, 1790], 40 pp. 

• II. Mémoire remis au Comité des pensions de l'Assemblée nationale, par quelques Hollandois réfugiés en France, le 19 novembre 1790. S.l.n.d. [1790], 16 pp.
• - III. Note instructive remise en mai 1791 aux membres de l'Assemblée Nationale, par quelques Hollandois actuellement à Paris. [Paris], Imprimerie de H. J. Jansen, s.d. [1791], 23 pp.
• - IV. Manifeste du peuple brabançon. S.l., 1789, 40 pp.
• - V. [DUMOURIEZ (Charles-François):] Le Guide des nations, ou Correspondance politique et morale sur la France et les Pays-Bas. Paris, Imprimerie d'A.J. Gorsas, s.d. [1790], 110 pp.

Provenance: from the library of the lawyer, playwright, journalist and statesman Pierre-Louis Roederer (1754–1835), with his printed ex-libris on a pastedown, and at the head of part V, a signed presentation inscription from Charles-François Dumouriez to Pierre-Louis Roederer.

Second edition.

Half black sheep binding, smooth spine decorated with broad gilt fillets and dotted tooling, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, lightly rubbed corners, sprinkled edges, contemporary binding.

A few minor spots.

Scarce.

First edition, printed on thick wove paper.
Bound in contemporary half brown shagreen, smooth spines decorated with black typographic motifs, marbled paper boards, hand-marbled endpapers and pastedowns, modern slipcase edged in brown morocco with matching marbled paper sides and olive-green felt lining. 
Some occasional foxing, the note "Henri Beyle" in black ink at the upper corner of the title page of the first volume, final catalogue leaf present at the end of the second volume, small corner restorations to four leaves of the first volume.
"Very rare and extremely sought after. Usually quite simply bound at the time. Often foxed" (Clouzot). "This work is of great rarity in fine condition" (Carteret).
A handsome and very rare copy, large-margined and attractively bound at the time, of this masterpiece by Stendhal—rarer still than Le Rouge et le Noir.

First edition, illustrated with four plates, including a folding world map (cf. Sinkankas 3466; Agassiz III, 370).

Full fawn calf, spine with five slender raised bands, gilt-tooled compartments with occasionally softened floral tools, rubbed gilt headcaps, brown morocco lettering-piece, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, gilt dentelle framing the pastedowns, gilt fillets to board edges, marbled edges, contemporary binding.

Repairs to the spine, one joint split at head and foot, browning along the board margins with surface scratches, scattered foxing, a waterstain at the head of all leaves.

A noteworthy treatise devoted to yellow amber and above all to ambergris, the fragrant substance derived from the intestinal concretions of sperm whales which, once expelled, float on the surface of the sea and yield a highly prized perfume.

The plates depict a frog and a lizard embedded in amber, a world map (Africa, Europe, Asia and part of the Southern Lands), figures collecting bird droppings, and various animals.

"This book commonly appears in bibliographies on amber when in fact it is about ambergris, but Klobius examines both substances and notes their differences on p. 26-9. One of the plates shows a frog and a lizard imbedded in amber, both of which are fakes" [Sinkankas].

On the title-page, a distinguished manuscript ex-libris in black ink

First edition.

Copies recorded in the Catalogue collectif de France only at the BnF, Versailles, and Bar-le-Duc libraries.

Half bottle-green shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands decorated with gilt dotted rules and floral tools, blind-stamped frame on bottle-green grained cloth boards, gilt initials stamped at the centre of the upper board, white moiré silk endpapers and pastedowns, all edges gilt. Slight rubbing to the corners, a handsome contemporary binding.

The Courrier de Lyon case dates back to the period of the Directoire (April–October 1796). The execution of Joseph Lesurques was soon regarded as a major miscarriage of justice, and his family spent more than sixty years trying to obtain a revision of the case, despite the absence of any law permitting rehabilitation.

The decision of the Cour de cassation in December 1868 brought the matter to a definitive close in the negative sense.

Nevertheless, the confiscation of Lesurques’s property—customary in cases of capital punishment—was revoked, and his estate returned to his heirs. Today, some historians remain convinced of Lesurques’s innocence, while recent investigations by gendarmerie commander Éric Dagnicourt and historian Éric Alary tend to support his guilt as the financial instigator.

Provenance: a distinguished copy belonging to the celebrated lawyer and statesman of the July Monarchy, Odilon Barrot (1791–1873), with a fine signed presentation inscription from Louis Méquillet dated 15 February 1864, and Barrot’s gilt monogram (O. B.) stamped in the centre of the covers.

Odilon Barrot was among the active supporters of the Lesurques family’s petitions, which explains this presentation inscription.

First edition of this very rare legal memorandum, most likely printed for limited circulation. The former deputy and Bordeaux merchant Laffon de Ladébat (1746–1829), compelled to return to private life due to Napoleon’s enduring hostility, had been appointed to preside over the liquidation committee of the Banque Territoriale, established in July 1799, which faced insolvency in May 1803 following the Banque de France’s refusal to rediscount bills amounting to 255,000 francs.

No copies recorded in the CCF. Not listed in INED.

Our copy is preserved in its original temporary marbled-paper wrappers, modern but faithful to the period style.

Scattered foxing.

A collection of extremely rare prospectuses, prefaces, prolegomena, and appendices to a monumental work of political and economic philosophy by the Le Havre lawyer J.-B.-J. L'Aignel (1741-1806), former mayor of Le Havre.

The work was intended to be published in several volumes, but illness prevented the author from completing it.

Contemporary full marbled calf binding, spine with five raised bands ruled in gilt (partly faded) and decorated with double gilt compartments, black morocco title labels, gilt fillet borders on the edges (partly rubbed), red edges.

Worming in the lower margin of the final section, not affecting the text; small restorations to the boards.

Printed in Le Havre or nearby Montivilliers, these pieces were meant to be issued separately and have very rarely survived (Frère knew of only three).

The present copy was assembled by the author himself and is one of the two most complete known, along with the copy held by the Bibliothèque municipale du Havre (although with slightly different contents): 1) Souscriptions proposées au public par le jurisconsulte L'Aignel… Pour ses deux Ouvrages intitulés : le premier, les Loix commerciales : le deuxième, la France commerçante. 1er Avril 1797. 4 pp. 2) Loix commerciales et France commerçante. Adresse Aux deux Conseils du Corps Législatif. 1er Avril 1797. 12 pp. (Lechevalier, Biblio. arr. du Havre, 4698) 3) Discours historique sur le commerce (par Savary). 44 pp. (Lechevalier 4699) 4) Discours sur la navigation (par L'Aignel). 71 pp. (Lechevalier 4697) 5) Les Phares de Normandie et du Havre, Allumés à l’avènement de Louis XVI (par L'Aignel); Ode… Présentée à Sa Majesté étant aux Phares du Havre, le 28 Juin 1786. 8 pp. (Frère II 133, Lechevalier 1496) 6) Les Livres XX, XXI & XXII, de l'Esprit des Loix Par Montesquieu : Relatifs au Commerce, Considéré comme une des bases de l'Ordre Social. Montivilliers, Imprimerie des Administrations municipales, s.d. 112 et 6 pp. (Lechevalier 4700) 7) Analyse satyrique de l'Esprit des loix Par M. de Bonneval. 1 f.n.ch. 8) L'Ordre Social. Prospectus. - L'Ordre Social, Propre à tout Gouvernement quelqu'il soit, républicain ou Monarchique; distribué en neuf Législations proposées : précédé de l'Examen des loix hébraïques, romaines, françaises, et autres, tant anciennes que modernes… Par le Jurisconsulte l'Aignel,… Au Havre, Chez l'Auteur, de l'imprimerie de Patry, (1795). 1 f.n.ch. et 27 pp. (Frère II 134, Lechevalier 4690: autre éd. en 24 pp.?) 9) La Confédération générale de l'Europe : ou Extrait du projet de paix perpétuelle de l'abbé de Saint-Pierre. Montivilliers, de l'Imprimerie du District (vers 1796). 15 pp. (Lechevalier 4700 (2)) 10) L'Ordre social, propre à tout gouvernement, Et distribué en neuf Législations …Par le Jurisconsulte l'Aignel,… S.l., (1795). 4 pp. 11) Les Pairies populaires et leurs assemblées Proposées par le Jurisconsulte l'Aignel… S.l., (1796). 20 pp. (Lechevalier 4696) 12) Le Comice patriotique et universel. Au Havre, de l'Impr. de Le Picquier, (vers 1795). 23 pp. (Frère II 134, Lechevalier 4693) 13) Les Hospices, Ci-devant dits Hôpitaux, Aumôneries, Maladreries, Léproseries, Hôtels ou Maisons-Dieu. S.l. (vers 1795). 32 pp. (Lechevalier 4695: autre éd. en 32 pp.?) 14) Les Tributs directs et fixés. Observation préliminaire. Au Havre, de l'Impr. de Le Picquier (vers 1795). 27 pp. (Lechevalier 4694) 15) L'Appendice de la France commerçante en 1789 Par le Jurisconsulte l'Aignel… Au Havre, chez l'Auteur, de l'Imprimerie de Patry, (1796). 2 ff.n.ch., 4 pp. 16) Le Spectacle de la France, lors de la convocation des États Généraux en 1789. S.l., (1796). xij pp. 17) Remarques particulières sur le gouvernement français Par le Président Hénault. Montivilliers, de l'Imprimerie des Administrations municipales, (vers 1795-1796). 54 pp. (Lechevalier 4700 (3)) 18) Histoire sommaire du droit français Par Gabriel Argou,… Montivilliers, de l'Imprimerie du District, (vers 1795-1796). 56 pp. (Lechevalier 4700 (4)) 19) Le Spectacle de la France, lors de la convocation des États Généraux en 1789. S.l. (vers 1795). 107 pp. (Lechevalier 4688) 20) Commerce général de la France en 1789 S.l.n.d. 23 pp. (Lechevalier 4691) 21) Salines et sel, Particulièrement en France S.l.n.d. 44 pp. (Lechevalier 4692). L'Aignel affixed to the front flyleaf an in-8 printed leaf containing two of his poems in honor of the First Consul and Josephine during their official visit to Le Havre on 15 Brumaire Year XI (6 November 1802).

This copy remained in the author’s family until his grandson René, also a lawyer in Le Havre, presented it on 6 November 1882 to a certain E. Seguin, as indicated by a pencil note on the front pastedown.

Rare first edition with bilingual text (French with facing Italian translation).

Our copy is preserved in its original state, uncut and unbound in temporary dominoté paper wrappers (with pen and black ink accounts and trials on the verso of the second cover). Minor foxing.

Only one copy recorded in the CCF (Avignon). Not listed in Starace.

A very rare collection documenting a little-known aspect of the famous "Miot decrees", which have given rise to much commentary, though only concerning their fiscal and customs provisions.

The regulatory activity of this unflinching State official extended into many other areas. When he disembarked from the Hirondelle on 25 March 1801 in Bastia, it was the second mission undertaken by Miot (1762–1841) in Corsica to implement continental legislation (the first had taken place in 1796–1797).

Settled in Ajaccio in the Bonaparte house, he exceptionally held full military, administrative, and judicial powers, tasked with bringing, as far as possible, the islanders under the French legal system, the constitutional regime having been temporarily suspended on the island by the First Consul.

The task was far from easy, hampered by numerous personal oppositions, and until his departure on 14 September 1802, he was often compelled to adapt the legal requirements to local customs and institutions.

Rare and sought-after first edition, first issue.

Includes the subscribers' list and the foreword, which were omitted when the remainder of this edition passed into the hands of another publisher, Dion-Lambert. It also retains the pagination error in volume two: page 164 instead of 364. With a letter from the author, bearing his autograph signature, written and dated 14 April 1839, in the hand of his secretary. One page written in black ink on a leaf. Slightly darkened at the upper edge, with occasional foxing, and the usual folds from postal handling.

Our copy is enriched with an exceptional, prophetic and macabre letter by François-René de Chateaubriand: "mais moi je suis mort, absolument mort et s'il me fallait écrire un mot dans un journal, j'aimerais mieux être enseveli à mille pieds sous terre." ["but I am dead, utterly dead, and if I were required to write a single word in a newspaper, I would rather be buried a thousand feet underground."]

Signed with the author’s faltering hand, this apparently unpublished letter was penned by his secretary: "Vous connaissez la main de [Hyacinthe] Pilorge que j'employe pour remplacer la mienne souffrante de la goutte" ["You will recognise the hand of [Hyacinthe] Pilorge, whom I employ to replace my own, suffering from gout,"] the author explains in the introduction to the letter.

Black half-morocco bindings, smooth spines with double gilt fillets and double blind-stamped compartments, black paper boards, slight superficial rubbing to some boards, marbled paper pastedowns and endpapers, sprinkled edges; contemporary bindings. Sparse foxing.

First edition of these significant memoirs by a close companion and comrade-in-arms of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Half aubergine sheep bindings, smooth spines slightly faded and decorated with gilt romantic arabesques, some rubbing with small losses to a few spines and joints, embossed aubergine paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges; romantic bindings of the period.

Some foxing, a light marginal dampstain on the final leaves of volume 8.

A pleasant set, attractively bound in contemporary romantic bindings.

New edition with hitherto unpublished material, printed three years after the first edition.
Contemporary full brown sheepskin binding, smooth spine with 7 gilt compartments decorated with friezes and classical vases, leather lettering piece, inscription "Lycée impérial de Marseille, prix de l'an XIII (1805)" gilt-stamped on upper cover, gilt rolls on board edges, tooled spine-ends, white pastedowns and endpapers, price label with the "Lycée's" header affixed to front pastedown. Usual wear to joints with a small hole, lower spine-end missing and leather loss at foot of spine, wormhole affecting several letters of the word "Marseille" on front cover, corners bumped, gilt tooling on board edges and spine-ends slightly faded, hole to half-title leaf not affecting text, and leaves throughout cockled.
Ink annotation on title page: "1ère Edition 1796".

Four further editions will follow the first two: 1808, 1813, 1824, and 1835 (the latter published posthumously).

First edition, of which no copies were printed on deluxe paper.

Half black shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands decorated with gilt garlands, gilt date at foot, marbled paper boards, combed paper endpapers and pastedowns, gilt top edge, original wrappers preserved.

Scattered foxing, some reading marks in red and blue pencil in the margins of certain paragraphs, ink stamps of the Etienne Vion bookshop and stationery in Amiens on the title page, a library shelfmark at the head of the title page.

Fine copy of the illustrated new edition of 1820, printed in 4 volumes, enriched with The Influence of Women during the Empire and historical notes by Charles Nodier.

Half burgundy embossed shagreen, smooth spine decorated with gilt friezes and fillets, marbled paper boards, yellow-stained edges. Corners of headcaps rubbed, wear to joints and some foxing. Scratch to spine of volume 2.

This copy contains 4 frontispieces engraved by Ad. Godefroy after drawings by Chasselat. The title pages of the four volumes bear a contemporary manuscript ex-libris: "Louis Perrot."

Some defects within this copy: in volume 2, edges slightly damaged; in volume 3, old restorations to the title page; in volume 4, one leaf folded at upper left corner p. 70, small corner chips to pp. 125 and 139 (not affecting text), slight corner tears to pp. 213 and 267, 4 pages stuck together (pp. 241, 242, 243, 244) and a wormhole p. 261.

Illustrated edition with 192 color plates of military uniforms, chiefly from the Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras, after watercolors by Job (see Colas I, 1549).

Texts by various members of La Sabretache.

Contemporary bindings in cherry red morocco-grain half shagreen, spines with five raised bands framed by black fillets, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, gilt top edges, original wrappers preserved.

The illustrated plates are distributed as follows: in the first volume, 48 hand-colored plates numbered and captioned on their tissue guards; in the second, 48 unnumbered color plates; in the third, 48 unnumbered color plates; and in the fourth, 48 unnumbered color plates.

Complete set of all that appeared in La Sabretache, consisting of 48 issues each containing 4 color plates.

Themes of military life, patriotism, and even nationalism were the hallmark of Jacques Onfroy de Bréville (1858-1931), an illustrator whose vocation was initially thwarted.

A handsome set uniformly bound in contemporary bindings.

First edition of the French translation of the only portion translated (and adapted) from the monumental Geographie der Griechen und Römer, comprising 14 volumes published between 1788 and 1825 in Nuremberg, which at the time constituted the finest synthesis of the Ancients’ geographical understanding of the known world (cf. Brunet 23 388).

First gatherings loosened, angular losses to the spine and boards, a few minor spots of foxing.

Konrad Mannert (1756–1834) was among the foremost Bavarian historians of his time.

Second editions, partially original, of the French and Dutch translations; the text is bilingual (Dutch and French), and includes numerous passages printed in Malay (cf. Cordier, "Indosinica", 1385. Not mentioned by Quérard).

Bound in chocolate-brown half shagreen, spine with four small raised bands decorated with gilt fillets and dots, joints split then restored, marbled paper boards showing some scratches, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, small tears to edges; 19th-century binding.

Waterstains affecting the first and last few leaves of the volume.

The translator’s lengthy preface (47 pp.) appears here for the first time. Pages 235 to 344 contain exercises (original texts and their translations). "The first proof sheet of my Dictionary of the Malayan language was received from the printer on the 21st March, and the last on 11th October 1811. On the 24th of that month I corrected the first sheet of the Grammar, and both works were published in the early part of the following year. The impression was large, and, unfortunately for my labours, the extensive possessions conquered from the Dutch, where the Malayan is spoken, were gratuitously restored to them, and my sale contracted. Within these few years the Government of the Netherlands has done me the honour of causing translations of my Grammar and Dictionary, which has been hably executed by M. Elout fils, and to the politeness of M. Elout, minister for the colonies, I am indebted for copies of them." Cf. Marsden, Memoirs, pp. 143–144, cited by Cordier. The English orientalist William Marsden (Dublin, 1754–1836) was also director of the East India Company and secretary to the Admiralty. He had travelled to Sumatra in 1771 following his brother, an agent of the Company, and devoted his time there to learning the local language. "After spending eight well-used years in Sumatra, he returned to England in 1779 in hopes of securing a more lucrative position. Initially unsuccessful, he dedicated his retirement to a geographical and historical study of the island. Around this time, he became acquainted with Sir Joseph Banks, who introduced him to several eminent figures such as Dalrymple, Rennell, Maskelyne, Solander, and Herschel. He was soon elected a member of the Royal Society. His History of Sumatra, published in 1782, earned him that distinction (...) The principal fruits of his studious retirement were a Grammar and a Dictionary of the Malay language, an excellent translation of the Travels of Marco Polo (1817), with a highly valuable commentary, a catalogue of his rich collection of Oriental coins, and three Essays, the most important of which concerns the languages of Polynesia" [Hoefer].

Rare first edition illustrated with 9 plates, including a large folding map.

Publisher’s binding in full havana cloth, smooth spine decorated in black, vignette of a ship within a double black circle on the upper cover, black endpapers and pastedowns, joints split, corners slightly rubbed.

The author was a former officer of the 90th Light Infantry Regiment and wrote several works on various military subjects.

Manuscript ex-libris of R. B. Knight on the half-title, blue ink stains on the edges at the beginning of the volume.

One of the very few copies bearing an autograph inscription—fewer than ten are recorded—of this first edition, containing the Marseillaise.
First edition illustrated with an engraved frontispiece by Charles-Étienne Gaucher after Jean-Jacques Le Barbier and four pages of engraved musical score at the end of the volume. La Marseillaise appears here in its true first edition, having first been pre-published in the Almanach des Muses in 1793 and circulated as separate leaves.
Contemporary half-sheepskin binding, smooth spine gilt-decorated with compartments, fleurons and fillets, red morocco title-piece, black pasteboard sides. Several manuscript and pasted ex-libris on the pastedown and endpapers. Spine restored, some foxing. The last two letters of the dedicatee’s name have been trimmed in the binding.
The work is enriched on the half-title with an exceptional autograph presentation by Rouget de L’Isle to a fellow artist of the Revolution: “M de La Chabeaussiè[re] / de la part de l'auteur.”
Rouget de Lisle and Poisson de la Chabeaussière, the recipient of the dedication, both embodied the revolutionary fervour and left their mark on the republican history of France through their writings.
La Marseillaise is presented here alongside other poems and songs. This first edition delivers the celebrated anthem in its original form: six quatrains, as written by Captain Rouget de L’Isle for the Army of the Rhine in April 1792, and proclaimed the national anthem in 1795 by the decree of 26 Messidor Year III.
As lyricists and men of letters, Rouget de L’Isle and La Chabeaussière were zealous servants of the Revolution but also victims of its excesses. At the time of this inscription, in Year V of the Republic, the two men were at the height of their glory: one as the author of the national anthem that thrilled revolutionary France, the other as the writer of the most widely disseminated republican catechism of the Revolution. Indeed, La Chabeaussière composed another major work of revolutionary heritage: a Catéchisme républicain, philosophique et moral, reprinted eighty-two times up to the Third Republic, which earned him a seat on the Commission exécutive de l’instruction publique. Like Rouget de L’Isle, he also achieved success as a lyricist and librettist, notably for the comic operas of Nicolas Delayrac. The history of La Marseillaise from its creation is interwoven with that of La Chabeaussière and of the composer Delayrac, whose heroic drama Sargines ou l’Élève de l’amour presents striking similarities with the anthem.
Neither La Chabeaussière nor Rouget de L’Isle, despite the fame of the Marseillaise, escaped the terrors of the Revolution. Declared “suspects,” they were both imprisoned in 1793, respectively at the prisons of the Madelonettes and of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. After these dark hours, they resumed a more peaceful existence and continued to collaborate actively with the Almanach des Muses, which first published La Marseillaise in volume form.
Upon La Chabeaussière’s death in 1820, the copy embarked on a most romantic history. It still bears the inscription of its second owner, Édouard Gendron: “Ce livre a été acheté en 1821 – à un carrefour près la place de l’école de médecine, parmi un tas de ferraille.”
First publication by its composer of the most celebrated symbol of the French Republic: La Marseillaise. Its precious presentation brings together revolutionary poets whose intertwined destinies left an indelible mark on the history of France.

Complete set of 115 copper-engraved plates with an additional plate (116 plates), all printed on either laid or wove paper, all hand-colored with watercolor. Two entirely different plates 39 follow each other, in first issue: "Les Titus et les cache-folies" was published in the 1817 and 1822 sets, and the other "La Politicomanie" appeared in 1827. This is the most complete series, which also includes the 11 new plates published from 1818 to 1822, numbered 105 to 115.

According to Vicaire, the plates were probably all printed between 1801 and 1822, and only the text preceding the plates was reprinted in 1827.

3/4 long-grained cherry half-morocco, smooth spine elaborately framed in gilt lentghwise, gilt tooled center of spine, gilt lettered title at head of spine framed in gilt, marbled boards, marbled paper endpapers and flyleaves. Minor brown spots are mainly confined to the 24 pp. of text, with very few on the plates, mainly on the margins and versos.

A rare and famous collection of costumes, genre and entertainment scenes from the French First Empire and Restoration eras, with very wide margins and magnificently hand-colored at the time. A veritable encyclopedia of thrills, pleasures and pageantry, published by Pierre de la Mésangère, leading fashion editor at the turn of the century. This copy includes two versions of plate 39, both of which are extremely scarce.
 

First edition (cf. Polak 8547).

Rare copy preserved in its original stitching, in temporary cream paper wrappers.

A few marginal manuscript annotations on page 49.

This publication includes only the decrees issued between 7 Thermidor Year II [25 July 1794] and 9 Fructidor Year II [26 August 1794], although the mission of the Convention member Jeanbon Saint-André (1749–1813) in Toulon continued until March 1795.

An important document on the work of one of the reformers of the French navy during the Revolution.

Uncommon first edition, cf. Polak 7724 (only three copies recorded in the CCF: Musée de la Marine, Angers, and Caen), illustrated with a portrait frontispiece of Count Martin lithographed on cream paper mounted, together with 6 folding lithographed maps hors texte.

Spine cracked with small losses, some foxing.

Rare copy complete with the extensive printer’s catalogue at the end of the volume.

This account of Admiral Pierre Martin (1752-1820) was published by his grandson, Denis Pouget (1808-1892), through his only daughter Marguerite. It notably discusses the fire-ship affair off the Île d’Aix, a naval battle between the British and the French which took place on 11–12 April 1809 during the Fifth Coalition, and which led to the Admiral’s near-permanent disgrace.

Rare first edition illustrated, at the end of the volume, with 2 folding plates.

Unique edition, of the utmost rarity, rendered all the more so by the second dedication to Berthier, unrecorded elsewhere and evidently added later.

It is known that the young Bonaparte, assigned to the artillery regiment of La Fère, had passionately learned his military trade at the Royal School of Artillery in Auxonne.

It is also known that he had studied in depth the Nouveaux principes d'artillerie by Benjamin Robins, on which he left notes.

This work must therefore have drawn his particular attention. The author long taught artillery in military schools, yet little is known about him. "Napoléon n'oublia jamais sa formation d'artilleur..."

"Il fit jouer à cette arme un rôle de plus en plus marqué," confirms Jean Tulard.

A rare and appealing copy preserved in its original temporary blue wrappers, with the title inscribed in manuscript at the head of the spine.

Edition published the same year as the first. Illustrated with a portrait of the author, three folding plates, a folding map of Longwood house and two folding maps.
Some foxing.

Full black calf bindings, smooth spines with gilt romantic motifs, boards with central motif in blind, boards ruled in gilt, a small restoration to the margin of the first volume's upper board, handmade endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges, spine-ends ruled in gilt, contemporary romantic bindings.

Rare signed and inscribed copy to a veteran of the Napoleonic wars, on the title page of the first volume: "A Mr. Foucauld, ancien s. [sous] officier de la Grande Armée. Passy 19. 7bre 1840 par le Cte de Las Cases" [To Mr. Foucauld, former second officer of the French Imperial Army. Passy 19. September 1840 by Count de Las Cases]

This inscription by the famous memorialist dates from the year Napoleon's mortal remains were returned to France, a few days before the Belle Poule frigate arrived in St. Helena to collect the coffin. Las Cases inscribed this copy at a turning point in history, as the world was once again turning to the remote island where the Emperor was exiled and buried. A second resurrection was to occur with the triumphant return of the imperial coffin:

"Frozen sky, pure sun. - Oh! shines in history,
Of the mournful imperial triumph torch!
May the people forever keep you in their memory,
Beautiful day like glory,
Cold as the grave" (Le Retour de l'Empereur, Victor Hugo).
The famous compilation of memories and confidences of Napoleon in exile was considered from the beginning to be a true masterpiece which had a lasting effect on Napoleonic legacy. Inscriptions by Las Cases on his most famous work are extremely rare. Las Cases wrote these words to another faithful servant of the Empire, at a time when one of the most important events in Napoleonic history was unfolding: the long voyage of so-called “Mission des cendres”. Las Cases was to be part of this expedition and abandoned due to ill health. He was replaced by his son who had shared his captivity in St Helena and was to publish, like his father, an account of his journey with the Emperor's remains. Las Cases did, however, attend the lavish funeral ceremony at the Invalides, true to his words from the Mémorial: "The heavens blessed my efforts by allowing me to go all the way".

An exceptional copy with a rare meaningful signed autograph inscription, on the iconic work at the origin of Napoleonic mythology, handsomely set in a contemporary binding with Romantic gilt motifs.

First edition, very rare. "Aucun exemplaire de ce livre imprimé aux frais de la duchesse d'Orléans avant 1814 ne fut distribué de son vivant (Tourneux, Bibl. de l'hist. de Paris pendant la Révolution fr., IV, 21752)

Cf Quérard, VIII, 258. Brunet, II, 1136. Tourneux, 21572.

Some leaves browned or foxed.

Contemporary Bradel bindings in full purple paper boards imitating long-grain morocco, spines slightly faded, decorated with gilt fillets, friezes, and fleurons, gilt crowned monogram at the head of the spines, entirely uncut, headcaps slightly worn, some wear to the corners of volumes 3 and 4, bindings contemporary to the publication.

Some leaves slightly browned.

The work is a reply to Montjoie’s defamatory pamphlet, Histoire de la conjuration d'Orléans (1796), which would later be reprinted and condemned under the reign of Louis-Philippe. It was written by a controversial figure, the politician and conventionnel from Toulouse, Jacques-Marie Rouzet de Folmon (1743-1820).

Kuscinski (Dict. des conventionnels, pp. 540-541) notes that Rouzet accompanied the dowager duchess of Orléans into exile, after securing her release from the Luxembourg prison. They both returned to France in 1814, and "au dire de Mme Cavaignac, il aurait fini par l'épouser, ce qui aurait presque complètement brouillé la mère avec ses enfants. Rouzet a été enterré à Dreux dans les caveaux de la chapelle de la famille d'Orléans."

Provenance: Precious copy bound for Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans, with his crowned gilt monogram at the head of the spines and the stamp of the Bibliothèque du roi, Palais Royal, on the title pages. 

The endpaper of the first volume bears the handwritten note: "à l'armoire des médailles, par o[rdre] du Roi", referring to the reserve of precious, or confidential, books of the royal library.

Rare and appealing copy in contemporary boards, entirely uncut, complete with the 3 leaves of errata bound at the end.

The last two volumes are unopened.

The set is preserved in two modern slipcases of half long-grain red morocco, flat spines decorated with gilt fillets.

First edition on ordinary paper.

Work illustrated with wood engravings by Henri Jadoux.

A pleasing copy.

Autograph inscription signed by Sacha Guitry in pencil to Henry Sorensen.

Second edition of the French translation (Sabin 98442).

Bound in modern pastiche half beige calf, smooth spines ruled in gilt with double fillets, red morocco title labels and brown morocco volume labels, marbled paper boards.

The final two leaves of volume two have been restored, with loss of text: a few letters are missing from page 381, and there is a loss of text on pages 383–384, which comprise the table of contents; occasional light spotting, blind stamps to the lower right corner of title-pages.

Complete set including the atlas, sixth and final volume, illustrated with 17 plates and 9 maps.

A handsome copy of this celebrated voyage of exploration through the Pacific and along the west coast of America.

First edition.
Bound in green half shagreen, spines with five raised bands ruled in black and decorated with gilt floral tools, gilt names of a former owner at foot of spines, marbled paper boards, comb-marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers bound in.
Some occasional foxing, minor rubbing to two upper corners, and light surface wear to a few boards without affecting the integrity of the binding.
Contemporary ink ownership inscriptions at the head of the wrappers, with blind collector's stamps on the endpapers.

A handsome set of these important memoirs from the Napoleonic era.
 

Extremely rare printing by Fauvelle, official printer for the Tribunaux de la Seine, contemporary and textually identical to the octavo and quarto editions by the Imprimerie de la République. Only four copies with Fauvelle's imprint in OCLC (BnF, National Library of Spain, Royal Danish Library, Stadtbibliothek Worms).

Bradel-style binding in full marbled paper boards, flat spine with red roan label, light foxing to the first three leaves.

First version of the Napoleonic Code, presented by the four members of Bonaparte's commission appointed to draft the civil code. Also contains the important “Preliminary Address to the First Draft of the Civil Code,” outlining the influences and objectives behind this landmark work - the first modern legal code to be widely adopted in Europe, which influenced the codes of jurisdictions all over the world.

Very rare first edition of the author's very first work, in which he clearly sought to draw attention during this period of revival of the national stud farms, abolished during the Revolution and officially reinstated in 1806 (see Mennessier de La Lance II, 138).

Contemporary full marbled fawn calf, flat spine richly gilt with garlands, Greek keys, floral tools and geometric motifs, green morocco title labels, gilt rolls on the almost faded caps, gilt ornamental borders on covers, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, gilt fillet on edges, worn corners, sprinkled edges.

Facing the title page, signed autograph inscription by Louis de Maleden to "Messieurs Talendier et Laforest," in which he mentions the publication of his Plan organique, which appeared in 1805 followed this first work.

Ex-libris label of Waldemar Schwalbe, dated 1937, pasted on the front pastedown.

First edition, illustrated with 6 folding plates at the end of the volume (cf. Polak 5375).

Contemporary Bradel binding in full red boards, flat spine, black shagreen label with gilt lettering, the upper cover stamped in gilt with the monogram of Prince Eugène de Beauharnais, stepson of Napoleon. Lower corners a bit rubbed. Period binding.

A few minor spots, not affecting legibility.

Only two copies listed in the CCF (BnF and École Polytechnique).

The only edition of this insightful analysis of French naval doctrine at the close of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, significantly bearing the motto on the title page: Delenda est Britannia. Charles-Louis-Victor de La Rouvraye (1783–1850) joined the navy in June 1799; he served in the Boulogne flotilla and later in the Indian Ocean, where he was taken prisoner by the British (1806–1811).

Provenance: A distinguished copy from the library of Prince Eugène de Beauharnais, stepson of Napoleon, then Duke of Leuchtenberg, bearing his gilt cipher and that of his wife Augusta Amélie of Bavaria.

Later owned by a member of the Montboissier de Canilliac family, with an armorial bookplate mounted on the pastedown, most likely that of Charles de Montboissier-Beaufort-Canilliac (1753–1836), maritime prefect of Cherbourg from 1816 to 1826.

Uncommon first edition (cf. Polak 8200).

Modern binding in light blue cloth, smooth spine, speckled edges, original wrappers preserved and mounted on tabs.

The work was written at a time when the abolition of privateering was increasingly being discussed—a measure that would later be enacted in the Treaty of Paris of 1856.

For the first three volumes, first edition, complete with all 84 parts published between February 1842 and October 1843 of this "admirable publication printed on thick vellum paper [...] one of the finest of the 19th century, justly esteemed and comparable to the beautifully illustrated books of the 18th century" (Carteret), (see Carteret III, 143–153; Vicaire II, 234–248).

The first three volumes are bound in full violet morocco, spines with five raised bands bordered with gilt pointillé tooling, compartments richly gilt with double gilt frames, gilt rolls on caps, covers framed with quintuple gilt fillets, gilt monogram MG at the corners, comb-marbled endpapers and pastedowns framed in gilt dentelle, double gilt fillets on board edges, all edges gilt. Splendid bindings signed by Dunezat, active between 1870 and 1895.

Illustrated by Charles François Daubigny, Ernest Meissonier, Anthelme Trimolet, Adolphe Steinheil, Gustave Staal, Emy, Louis-Léopold Boilly, Charles Edouard de Beaumont, among others.

Texts by Marc-Antoine Desaugiers, Fabre d'Églantine, Pierre-Jean Béranger, André Chénier, Florian, Sedaine, Constance de Salm, Jean-Joseph Vadé, etc., set to music by various composers, including André Grétry, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Étienne Nicolas Méhul, and François-Adrien Boieldieu.

The complete collation is as follows: 1) 5 preliminary leaves (half-title, engraved title-frontispiece, list of songs, introduction by Delloye) and 28 parts of 4 unnumbered leaves each (28 songs, each including a 2-page note, 4 pages of text with illustrations, and 2 pages of music—i.e., 4 unnumbered leaves per song); 2) 5 preliminary leaves and 27 parts of 4 unnumbered leaves each, except for La Parodie de la Vestale, which includes 10 unnumbered leaves; 3) 5 preliminary leaves and 28 parts; 4) 2 unnumbered leaves, engraved frontispiece, xxiv and 224 pages.

The general series wrappers were not bound in this copy, which shows several first-issue points.

Enclosed: bound in violet half morocco with corners, Chansons populaires des provinces de France. Notices by Champfleury. Piano accompaniment by J. B. Wekerlin. Paris, Lécrivain et Toubon, booksellers, 1860, 2 unnumbered leaves, engraved frontispiece, xxiv and 224 pp.

Binding in violet half morocco with corners, spine with five raised bands bordered with gilt pointillé tooling, richly gilt compartments framed in double gilt fillets, marbled paper-covered boards, comb-marbled endpapers and pastedowns, a few scuffs to board edges and extremities, all edges gilt, an elegant unsigned binding likely attributable to Dunezat, active between 1870 and 1895.

A very handsome set, perfectly bound.

Highly interesting collection attributed either to the geographer Georges-Louis Le Rouge (according to Polak), or to the civil engineer La Serre (based on a manuscript version held at the Municipal Library of Le Havre).

Contemporary half Havana calf binding, smooth spine richly decorated with five gilt fillets and blind-stamped naval anchors, some minor restorations to joints, small green vellum corners, marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns marbled à la cuve. Binding dating from the mid-19th century.

The work comprises 35 engraved plates depicting the plans of 42 ports.

From north to south, and west to east: 1. Antwerp. – 2. Flushing. – 3. Ostend. – 4. Dunkirk. – 5. Gravelines. – 6. Calais. – 7. Boulogne. – 8. Dieppe. – 9. Valléry-en-Caux and Fécamp. – 10. Le Havre. – 11. Le Tréport and Honfleur. – 12. Rouen. – 13. Caen. – 14. Cherbourg. – 15. Granville. – 16. Port-Malo and Saint-Servan. – 17. Brest. – 18. Lorient. – 19. Port-Louis. – 20. Nantes. – 21. Les Sables-d'Olonne. – 22. Saint-Martin-de-Ré. – 23. La Rochelle. – 24. Rochefort. – 25. Concarneau, Mont-Saint-Michel and Oléron. – 26. Bordeaux. – 27. Bayonne. – 28. Saint-Jean-de-Luz. – 29. Port-Vendres and Collioure. – 30. Cette [Sète]. – 31. Marseille. – 32. Villefranche and La Ciotat. – 33. Toulon. – 34. Antibes and Saint-Tropez. – 35. Gibraltar.

Some minor and insignificant foxing.

A very rare first edition of 15 lithographed views in bistre tint, mounted in an accordion pleat, forming a panorama of 6.75 ft and showing the Parisian procession of the return of Napoleon's mortal remains (his "ashes" used here as a metaphor since he was not cremated). The parade started from the Arc de Triomphe to his resting place in Invalides. In the lower margin, the caption presents the different groups forming the procession: Ajaccio delegation, Paris Municipal Council, Prince of Joinville Commission of Saint-Helena...in the centre of the panorama stands the spectacular funeral car. Without mention of the publisher, this impressive document was undoubtedly printed by Aubert, famous publisher of Parisian panoramas published during the same era and also illustrated by Adrien Provost.
Publisher's half cloth black Bradel binding, goffered silk boards framed with double gilt fillets, the first with the gilt title “convoi de l'Empereur” stamped in the centre.
“In the distance is seen, in the mist and the sunlight, against the grey and russet background of the trees in the Champs-élysées, beyond the great white phantom-like statues, a kind of golden mountain slowly moving. All that can be distinguished of it as yet is a sort of luminous glistening, which makes now stars, now lightening sparkle over the whole surface of the car. A mighty roar follows this apparition. It would seem as though this car draws after it the acclamation of the whole city, as a torch draws after it its smoke. (Victor Hugo, Choses Vues, “15 décembre 1840. Funérailles de l'Empereur. Notes prises sur place.”)

Complete manuscript of the unpublished French translation by J. Brunet of the monumental « Giurisprudenza marittima-commerciale antica e moderna » by the Milanese lawyer Luigi Piantanida, originally published in four volumes between 1806 and 1808.

Contemporary-style pastiche binding in marbled tan half calf with vellum tips, smooth spine lavishly gilt with decorative panels and gilt Greek key friezes, red morocco title label, marbled paper boards showing minor scuffs.

In the preface, the author traces the history of maritime regulation from its origins, then reviews the various maritime codes, the rights and duties of consuls, the admiralty, captains and crew members, and explains the role of existing jurisdictions, maritime courts and judgments.

At the front, two fine engraved portraits: one of the author, the other of Napoleon I, engraved by Domenico Cavalli.

Inserted is a printed bifolium (8vo, 3 pp.), containing the speech delivered by M. Penieres in response to the presentation made by L. Piantanida of his work to the Legislative Body, Session of November 4, 1808, Paris, Hacquart, (1808).

New edition. "American Imprints" 28030. See Lowndes II, 298 for the first edition: "Liveliness of description of scenery and manners, couched in an easy and elegant style…"

Contemporary half havana shagreen with corners, spine decorated with gilt fillets and fleurons, rubbed beige morocco label, a few minor scuffs along the spine. Gilt garland borders framing the marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns of rose paper lightly soiled at margins, marbled edges. Late 19th-century binding.

Some occasional foxing.

A good copy.

Rare first edition including a general map of Africa, compiled from the most reliable observations and the latest discoveries, as well as 8 finely engraved plates (cf. Clozel 505; Gay 2897).

The 8 illustrations comprise: one folding view, three folding maps and plans, a key chart for the plan of Gorée, and three portraits of indigenous figures.

Some restorations and water stains affecting a few leaves.

Contemporary half calf binding, smooth spine decorated with gilt garlands, floral tools, and urns; red morocco title and volume labels, marbled edges.

Born in Colmar, Sylvain-Meinrad-Xavier de Golbéry (1742–1822) spent his entire military career in the Corps of Engineers.

The journey he recounts here—published belatedly—was commissioned by Louis XVI and took him through regions corresponding to present-day Senegal and The Gambia.

First edition, one of 50 copies on deluxe paper, the only copies printed on large paper.
Fine copy.

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only copies printed on deluxe paper.

A handsome copy, despite slight and marginal fading to the spine and covers.

First edition of considerable rarity, not recorded by Sabin (who mentions an octavo edition) nor by Monglond.

Title, 117 pp., 67 pp., 2 unnumbered leaves of tables, 84 pp. and one folding plate comprising the appendices. Pages 15 to 22 are taken up by an unpaginated "État des Réunions poursuivies à Saint Domingue, & sur lesquelles est intervenu Jugement pendant les années 1785, 1786, 1787 & 1788."

Contemporary quarter marbled calf over marbled paper boards, vellum-tipped corners, modern flat spine gilt with decorative tools and roll-tooled dentelle motifs, red shagreen label, marbled edges.

Count César Henri Guillaume de La Luzerne (1737–1799), governor of the island of Saint-Domingue and Minister of the Navy, was denounced by the deputies of Saint-Domingue and more generally accused of responsibility for the loss of the colonies. In this memoir, he defends himself by refuting the fifteen accusations presented by his detractors, supporting his arguments with extensive documentary evidence. Among other charges, he is accused of obstructing the appointment of colonial deputies to the Estates-General and of having “favorisé & favoriser encore les Gens de couleur” (third accusation, p. 110). The documents he presents in response offer valuable information on the colony’s organization, slavery, and trade on the eve of the French Revolution. Various tables record the number of enslaved people imported and sold, revenue from these sales, quantities of coffee sold and their sale prices by year, the number of Domain Reunions, and more. He is also reproached for a flour shortage, which leads him to address in detail the trade relations between Saint-Domingue and France, including quantitative data and the legislation governing these exchanges. Saint-Domingue regularly received flour from France to feed the white population and some enslaved persons; in return, it exported sugar, coffee, cotton, indigo, and other products of its fertile land. The appendices, which constitute the second part of the work, are equally rich in significant data and details regarding the internal administration of the colony.

Contemporary ownership inscription on the title page: J. Beysselance.

First edition of this broad overview, largely compiled from more detailed monographs then available.

It was reissued as early as 1843.

Contemporary half black sheepskin bindings, flat spines decorated with quadruple gilt fillets and gilt romantic arabesques, gilt rolls at foot, some wear to the headcap of the first volume and to the tail of the second. Boards decorated in blind with romantic motifs, school insignia [Institution Hortus], corners slightly rubbed, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, sprinkled edges.

Some foxing, light rubbing to edges, endpapers and pastedowns slightly soiled at margins.

First edition, illustrated with 11 plates including a frontispiece. This copy has been enriched with a second frontispiece inserted before the half-title: the frontispiece from the Relation de la bataille de Marengo présentée à l'empereur par le Maréchal Berthier, published in 1808. This image, depicting Napoleon on horseback listening to Marshal Berthier outlining the battle plan held by a guard, has been mounted on red cloth. The booklet contains only a half-title, as the original cover—which has not been preserved—appears to have served as the title page: beneath a central imperial eagle, it simply bore the date and the mention “Paris, En vente chez tous les libraires.”

Volume bearing the arms and cipher of Napoleon III.

Contemporary full red shagreen binding. Spine with raised bands, decorated with five small bees. The upper board features the imperial arms at center, surrounded by the collar of the Order of the Holy Spirit, with four eagles in the corners and multiple frames. The lower board bears the cipher of Napoleon III. Moiré silk endpapers framed by a pattern of stars and circles. All edges gilt. Occasional light foxing.

A very handsome copy.

First edition, illustrated with 7 plates: a plan of Fort William and a large folding view of Calcutta in the first volume; 5 folding plates in the second volume (including 3 views of Mocha and its surroundings), see Gay 3317bis.

Contemporary full tree calf bindings, smooth spines decorated with gilt fillets, floral tools and geometric patterns, now largely faded, red morocco title-pieces, green bottle-morocco volume labels, some wear to joints, marbled endpapers, red-speckled yellow edges.

Rubbing to the spines, split to one joint.

Rare sole edition of one of the author's two travel accounts. A naval officer and son of a slave trader from Saint-Malo, Louis Ohier de Grandpré (1761–1846) had served in Suffren's campaign in India. He later turned to commerce, outfitting three ships in La Rochelle for trade and the slave trade.

His journeys took him to India (Bengal) and to the eastern coast of Arabia. His description of Yemen, and especially of the port of Mocha, is considered the first serious French account of the region.

Copy from the library of the Château de Menneval (Eure), with engraved bookplates mounted on the pastedowns.

First edition of the French translation by Antoine Gilbert Griffet de La Baume of the first two volumes of "Asiatick researches, or, Transactions of the Society instituted in Bengal for enquiring into the history and antiquities, the arts, sciences and literature of Asia, Calcutta, 1788–1790" (cf. Chadenat 4934).

The first volume, Meteorological Journal kept by Colonel T. D. Pearse from 1785 to 1786, is illustrated with 33 full-page plates; the second, Meteorological Journal kept in Calcutta by Henry Trail from 1785 to 1786, with 11 plates and 2 tables, including one large folding plate.

Modern bindings in black half morocco, flat spines ruled with double gilt fillets, marbled paper boards, hand-marbled endpapers.

Some light foxing, a few restorations to corners (upper or lower) of the second volume.

This remarkable typographical edition features several plates and tables printed in Arabic or Bengali characters, the latter being the first use of this language type in France. Among the essays are: vol. 1: Dissertation on the Spelling of Oriental Words – Account of a Meeting with the Tichou Lama – Report on a Journey to Tibet – Observations on the Sykhs – On Hindu Literature – Conversation about the City of Gondar and the Sources of the Nile – On Ordeal among the Hindus; vol. 2: Discourse on the Arabs, Tartars, and Persians – On the Hebrew Origin of the Afghans – On Hindu Chronology – On the Indian Game of Chess – Introduction of Arabic Words into the Persian Language – On Hindu Astronomical Calculations – Description of the Kingdom of Nepal, etc.

A nephew of the historian and theologian Henri Griffet, Antoine Gilbert Griffet de La Baume (Moulins, 1756 – Paris, 1805) settled in Paris in 1776, where he was briefly employed at the Ministry of the Interior. He went on to translate numerous works from English and German, and contributed to various periodicals including the Bulletin de Littérature, La Décade, Journal Encyclopédique, Mercure de France, and Censeur universel anglais (cf. Hoefer).

First edition, one of 110 numbered copies on alfa paper, this one not justified, the only copies printed on deluxe paper.

Bound in red half shagreen with corners, spine with four raised bands framed by black fillets, covers with gilt-patterned paper, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt.

A handsome copy in an attractive binding.

Illustrated with 16 phototype plates.

First edition, one of 50 copies on pur fil, ours being one of 4 hors commerce copies, the only deluxe papers after 5 hors commerce copies on Arches.

Bound in burgundy half morocco with corners, spine with five raised bands ruled in black, cat's-eye patterned paper-covered boards, comb-marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, bookplate affixed to a pastedown, top edge gilt, untrimmed. A handsome unsigned binding, likely by Devauchelle.

First edition, one of 55 numbered copies on pure Arches wove paper, the deluxe issue.

A fine copy.

Very rare first edition of the French translation by J. Castéra, illustrated with a frontispiece portrait of the author (cf. Sabin 43417. Leclerc 756).

Stamp marks scratched out on the half-title and at the end of the volume, dated 22 August 1878, occasional foxing.

Contemporary half havana sheep binding, flat spine decorated with gilt fillets, fleurons and rose tools, red morocco title label, spine restored, marbled paper boards with marginal fading, one upper corner slightly bumped.

Pages 261 to 274 contain a Vocabulary of the Algonquin Language and that of the Knisteneaux, and pages 304 to 310 a Vocabulary of the Chipiouyane Language [Chippeway].

Unpublished autograph letter signed by the Marquis de La Fayette to the Marquis Victor de La Tour-Maubourg, written from "Metz" and dated "the 4th" in La Fayette’s hand. Two and a quarter pages in ink on a bifolium. A minor perforation, not affecting the text; with a red "V. JACOB Metz" stamp on the blank verso of the bifolium. Two discreet paper reinforcements at the foot and head of the sheet’s fold.

La Fayette wrote this profoundly political letter in 1792 from Metz - the very city where, as a young officer, he had made the decision to set sail and fight for American independence. " I have been a revolutionary for fifteen years - and I am resolved to conquer or perish in this cause” he writes here, at a moment when the constitutional monarchy was in grave peril.

First edition, one of the numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe issue.

A rare and attractive copy.

Preface by Jean de La Varende.

Very rare first edition (cf Dunmore, p. 16. Ferguson, 225. Forbes, Hawaiian National Bibliography, 285. Gove, The Imaginary Voyage in Prose Fiction, pp. 397-8. Kroepelien, 283. McLaren, 269. Sabin, 38958. Missing from Negley, Utopian literature, and the Dictionary of literary utopias.)

Binding in full marbled calf, smooth spine adorned with compartments and floral gilt motifs, red morocco title label, gilt roulettes on the headbands (partially faded) and on the edges, binding of the period.

A tear with loss on the spine, small crack at the foot of one joint, rubbing on the joints, some foxing, a moisture stain on the first endpaper fading on the following pages, light halos at the foot of some pages.

The disappearance of La Pérouse caused great concern in France, and many writers used this mystery as the basis for utopias and fantastic tales about a possible survival of the crew in the South Seas.

A fictitious account. The greater portion is devoted to the description of a supposed island in the South Seas, inhabited by a community of refugees who had escaped the horrors of the French Revolution, and had established a republic there on socialist principles (Ferguson).

Davidson considers it a desirable addition either to a collection of La Pérouse items, or to a library of fictitious voyages.

The uncertainty regarding the publication date of this rare book (Ferguson, Sabin, and Kroepelien give 1795, while Gove and the Library of Congress catalog give 1798) was eventually resolved by the discovery of a contemporary advertisement by David Forbes confirming the first date.

Illustrated edition comprising 54 plates depicting twelve views and over sixty different costumes, along with monuments and picturesque scenes (including bullfights), most of them based on drawings executed in 1809 and 1810 (cf. Colas, 439; Lipperheide, 1214; Brunet, I, 1226, no. 3; Quérard, I, 506).

Contemporary half blond calf bindings, spines with four false raised bands adorned with triple gilt and black fillets, gilt rolls at head and foot, marbled paper boards with minor surface losses along the fore-edges, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges. Unsigned bindings, yet attributable to Thouvenin.

Scattered foxing, small tear on page 63 of volume 5.

"J'ai tâché d'offrir à mes lecteurs quelque chose de neuf […] Ce sont particulièrement des ouvrages en langues étrangères qui ont servi de base à ma description et au texte explicatif d'estampes jusqu'alors inédites pour la France. Sans négliger le voyage pittoresque de don Antonio Ponz, dont j'ai eu constamment l'original espagnol sous les yeux, j'ai recouru plus particulièrement à deux ouvrages publiés récemment en Angleterre, l'un en 1812, l'autre en 1813. Le texte magnifique de ces ouvrages est enrichi d'un grand nombre d'estampes qui ont été transportées dans le mien. M. Bradford, auteur du plus considérable des deux, étoit attaché en qualité de dessinateur à l'état-major de lord Wellington. L'autre, publié sous ce titre modeste, Costumes of Portugal, est rempli d'observations ingénieuses et piquantes…" (Preface, pp. V–VII).

The historical overview, spanning from the Carthaginians to Ferdinand VII, occupies volume 1; the second volume describes Catalonia and the kingdoms of Valencia, Murcia, and Granada. The next volume is devoted to the kingdom of Seville (including Cádiz and Algeciras), Gibraltar, the Jewish communities of Spain, Andalusia, and the kingdom of Galicia. Volume 4 covers the principality of Asturias, Old Castile, Biscay, and the kingdoms of Aragon, Navarre, and León.

The fifth volume continues with the kingdom of León, New Castile (including a description of Madrid), the kingdom of Córdoba, and Majorca.

The sixth and final volume is entirely dedicated to Portugal.

The charming period binding is by Thouvenin, who signed only one volume (La Suisse) of this impressive collection that has passed through our hands.

Provenance: from the library of Sinety, with an armorial bookplate affixed to the front pastedown of each volume.

First edition, complete with the 15 etched portraits by Jeanron.
At the beginning of the volume, the index listing the engraved portraits has been discreetly marked in pencil in the left margin beside each name.
Scattered light foxing.

Contemporary red half shagreen binding, spine with four raised bands framed by double gilt fillets and broad black rules, some rubbing to the spine, marbled paper-covered boards faintly and very marginally faded, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, one split to an edge.

First edition, partly original, of the author's complete works.

Our copy retains the engraved frontispiece portrait of Madame de Staël by Müller, present in the first volume.

Some minor foxing, rare minor scratches on a few covers, holes at the bottom of the last marbled paper flyleaf in the ninth volume.

Full pinkish-red glazed calf bindings, smooth spines with richly decorated double gilt compartments, title and volume labels in green morocco, double gilt fillets framing the covers stamped in their centres with gilt coats of arms, gilt-rolled leading edges, marbled endpapers and endboards, gilt lace framing on pastedowns, all edges gilt, very elegant english bindings of the period.

According to Clouzot, this is the first, most sought-after, and by far the finest edition of the complete works of Madame de Staël.

Compiled by Baron Auguste-Louis de Staël-Holstein (1790–1827), her eldest son, and the Duke Achille-Charles-Léonce-Victor de Broglie (1785–1870), her son-in-law, this collection of the Complete Works is well composed, carefully printed and error-free. Compiled with genuine filial piety and a respectful family spirit, it presents, from a literary point of view, the best text of the definitive version of each of the Baroness's complete works.

A very fine copy in a perfect decorative binding with arms and in full glazed calfskin of the period.

New edition, with 58 illustrated full-page plates including a frontispiece, all after P. A. Varin.
Full green velvet binding with silver edges, elaborately decorated with gilt gauffered rocaille motifs, and some blind stamped, with abundant onlays of blue, purple, cream and red vel­vet ; upper board with silver engraved crowned A[ve] M[aria] initials at center, "RGP" silver engraved initials at center of second board, both initials inside a wide red velvet inlay bordered with gilt gauffered motifs displaying the sheep­skin of the Order of the Golden Fleece at bottom, spine elaborately decorated with gilt rocaille motifs, silver engraved title label, silver clasps with pierced leafy designs and central roundel, light blue watered silk pastedowns and end­papers elaborately decorated with gilt rocaille gauffered motifs, all edges gilt. Contemporary binding. Scattered foxing throughout.

A masterful piece of Rocaille book-making in velvet and silver, op­ulently gauffered and heavily gilt, in exceptional condition.

Autograph letter signed by painter Elis­abeth Vigée-Lebrun addressed to his­torical painter and portraitist Hortense Haudebourt-Lescot. Two pages in black ink on a bifolium. Autograph address of Mme Haudebourt, 19 rue Rochefou­cauld, on verso of second leaf. Usual horizontal folds, tear without damage to the text on the second leaf due to the wax seal. A bibliographer's note in blue pencil on the verso of the last leaf.