André MALRAUX
Le triangle noir - Laclois. Goya. Saint-Just
Gallimard|Paris 1970|12 x 20.50 cm|broché
First edition on ordinary paper.
Very light worming at foot of first cover, handsome copy.
Autograph inscription signed by André Malraux to Edouard Caen.
€350
Maurice LELOIR, Gustave TOUDOUZE
Le roy soleil
Combet & Cie|Paris 1904|30 x 39 cm|en feuilles sous une chemise en pleine percaline
First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on China paper, the only deluxe copies with 50 on Japan paper
Work illustrated with 40 magnificent watercolors by Maurice Leloir including 34 full-page and 2 double-page, printed in chromotypography.
Publisher's binding in full royal blue percaline, smooth unlettered spine, front cover ornamented with a large polychrome and gilt plaque on the upper board depicting Louis XIV on horseback haloed by the sun, gilt paper endpapers, corners very slightly bumped, binding signed Engel.
The blue silk ribbons are damaged and missing from the right margin of the boards.
Bookplate pasted on one pastedown.
Handsome copy.

€2,000
Comte Antoine HAMILTON, Horace WALPOLE
Mémoires de Grammont
Edwards|Londres s.d. [1793]|21 x 28.50 cm|relié
Edition illustrated with 78 portraits, not 72 as stated on the title page, engraved by Harding and Voet, after the original paintings. Some minor foxing, ownership inscription in pen on the title page which left a small ink stain to the lower right-hand corner of the same page, slight scuffing to the boards.
Entirely printed on vellum, complete with the binder's instructions at the beginning and the index table at the end.
Edition with commentary by Horace Walpole.
Bound in full Russian red morocco, spine with three raised bands, spine framed in gilt and elaborately decorated with gilt typographic motifs, gilt roulettes at head and foot of spine, slight rubbing to spine-ends, boards framed with a large gilt dentelle and a frieze of blind-stamped motifs, moiré olive-green silk endpapers, inner dentelle, all edges gilt, edges framed in gilt, corners slightly dulled. An elegant unsigned 19th-century English binding.
A fine copy handsomely housed in an English morocco binding, of the most beautiful illustrated edition of this masterpiece described by Voltaire as "adorned with the most cheerful, lively, and pleasant style" (Siècle de Louis XIV).

€1,700
Michael BARRY
Le royaume de l'insolence - La résistance afghane du Grand Moghol à l'invasion soviétique
Flammarion|Paris 1984|13.50 x 22 cm|broché
The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Handsome copy. Afghan postal stamps used as bookmarks, a circled date and an underlined sentence in black ink on pages 202-203
Autograph inscription dated and signed by Michael Barry to Bernard Kouchner: "... en remerciement de tout ce que vous avez fait pour lui, domaine de l'impertinence..."
Founder of Médecins sans frontières then Médecins du monde, Bernard Kouchner was appointed Secretary of State for Social Integration then Secretary of State to the Prime Minister for Humanitarian Action in the Michel Rocard government from 1988 to 1991.

€150
Benjamin CONSTANT, Rosalie CONSTANT
Correspondance 1786-1830
Gallimard|Paris 1955|14.50 x 22.50 cm|broché
First edition, one of 88 numbered copies on pure laid paper, deluxe copies.
Introduction and notes by Alfred and Suzanne Roulin.
Final signature poorly cut, resulting in some small lacks to the leaves.
Handsome copy.
€180
Albert DECARIS, Jean de DUC DE GUISE
Paroles royales - Lettres et manifestes de monseigneur le Duc de Guise
Les amis des beaux livres|Paris 1933|21.50 x 24.50 cm|broché
First edition, one of 125 numbered copies on handmade laid paper, the only deluxe copies after 3 proof copies.
Endpapers very lightly and marginally shaded, without consequence.
A handsome full-margined copy.
Work illustrated with a wood engraving by Albert Decaris.

€150
François Augier de MARIGNY
Histoire des Arabes sous le gouvernement des Califes
Chez La veuve Estienne • Desaint & Saillant • Jean-Thomas Hérissant|A Paris 1750|10 x 17 cm|4 volumes reliés
First edition.
Full marbled and glazed lavallière calf binding for the first 2 volumes, and full marbled and glazed brown calf binding for the last 2 volumes. Ornate smooth spine. Red morocco title label, red morocco volume label. Red edges. A tear with loss at head and foot of volume II. A tear to the upper joint at head of volume III; a wormhole at foot of volume III; Worming and surface wear on boards with filling on the upper board at bottom with similar leather piece. 2 thin worm tracks on lower board of volume IV. Dampstaining traces on boards of volume I. In volume II, some leaves with small brown dampstain traces in margin. Volume III: leaves 121 to 146, pale dampstain trace in lower corner margin, same for 238 to 320, 361 to 394, and on the last leaves. Volume IV, dampstain trace in lower margin throughout the volume, more or less pronounced, sometimes disappearing, more pronounced in certain places. Good copy.
The History of the Arabs contains an interesting historical prologue on Muhammad's genealogy and a chronological table of the Caliphs, descendants of the Prophet and emperors of Constantinople until 1261. The caliphate was instituted after the Prophet's death. The title of caliph (khalifa) or "successor of the Prophet," having quickly been attributed to the head of the Muslim community, was originally coupled with those of emir al-mouminin, "commander of the faithful," and imam. The Caliphs established the greatest dynasties such as the Umayyads, the Caliphs of Córdoba, the Abbasids... whose history is both that of Muslims and of Islam. This history extends from 629 to the capture of Baghdad by the Tartars. Chadenat #1818 "highly esteemed work".

NB: This work is available at the bookshop on request within 48 hours.
€700
Jean BERAUD-VILLARS
L'empire de Gao - Un état soudanais aux XVe et XVIe siècles
Plon|Paris 1942|12 x 19 cm|broché
The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Light worming to the front cover.
Work illustrated with 3 maps and 8 engravings.
Autograph inscription signed by Jean Béraud-Villars to the newspaper La semaine de Vichy.
€150
Alexandre DUMAS
Vingt ans après[Twenty Years After]
Michel Lévy frères|Paris 1846|11 x 18 cm|3 volumes reliés
First 12^o edition published a year after the very rare first edition.
Light dampstains to the joins of the volumes, a small hole at foot of a joint on the first volume, slight rubbing to the spines, an upper corner of volume 1 rubbed, small part of leather lacking and a hole to a joint of the third volume.

Bound in half bronze sheep, smooth spines framed in gilt and cold-stamped fillets, modern black morocco title labels and volume labels, marbled paper boards, spotted edges, contemporary bindings.

Provenance: from the library of Michel Marie de Pomereu with his engraved bookplates pasted on the pastedowns.
€750
Prosper MERIMEE
Théâtre de Clara Gazul suivi de La jaquerie et de La famille Carnaval
Calmann Lévy|Paris s.d. (ca 1910)|12 x 19 cm|relié
New edition.
Half red morocco with corners, spine with four raised bands set with black fillets and decorated with triple black compartments, title-label and author's name in olive green morocco, marbled paper boards, combed paper endpapers and pastedowns, top edge gilt, original wrappers preserved, contemporary binding.
Handsome copy, beautifully bound.
€150
Jacques LE GOFF
La vieille Europe et la nôtre
Seuil|Paris 1994|13 x 18.50 cm|broché
First French edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.
Autograph inscription signed by Jacques Le Goff to Bernard Kouchner.
€180
Johan NIEUHOF
Legatio Batavica ad magnum Tartariae chamum Sungteium, modernum Sinae imperatorem [...][An Embassy from the East-India Company of the United Provinces, to the Grand Tartar Cham, Emperor of China]
Apud Jacobum Meursium, in Fossia Imperatoria • (Jacob van Meurs)|Amstelodami (Amsterdam) [Amsterdam] 1668|22 x 32.50 cm|relié
Legatio Batavica ad magnum Tartariae chamum Sungteium, modernum Sinae imperatorem.Historiarum narratione, quae legatis in provinciis Quantung, Kiangsi, Nanking, Xantung, Peking, et aula imperatoria ab anno 1655 ad annum 1657 obtigerunt, ut et ardua Sinensium in bello Tartarico fortuna, provinciarum accurata geographia, urbium delineatione, nec non artis et naturae miraculis ex animalium, vegetabilium, mineralium genere per centum et quinquaginta aeneas figuras passim illustrata et conscripta vernacule [...]

First Latin edition of this journey to China by Johan Nieuhof, translated by Georg Horn, illustrated with a portrait of Nieuhof, thirty-six double-page plates and numerous figures in the text.
Full brown sheep binding with metal clasps, spine with five raised bands with blind tooled designs in the compartments, triple blind fillet border on boards, red edges (contemporary binding recased). Head and foot of spine and corners rubbed, surface wear to boards. Without the Colbert portrait, as in many copies; the engraved frontispiece as well as the map of China are lacking. Pages 163 to 166 missing, pages 59-60 and 167-168 of the second part missing. Repaired tears to pages 3 to 8 without loss of text, more heavily trimmed, restoration with paper addition to the margin of p. 3, minute marginal tears to pages 4 to 6. One repaired tear p. 58 of the second part, without loss. Tear with loss to the last two lines of pp. 175-6. Wormholes to the plate of the city of Batavia. Repaired tear to verso of the Macao plate, to verso of the Canton city plan, to verso of the plate of the Congress of Vice-Roys at Canton with a loss to the margin not affecting the plate. Reinforcements with discreet paper additions to verso of most double plates.
One of the most abundantly illustrated works on 17th-century China, containing views, costumes, antiquities, animals and plants. This epic journey from Canton to Beijing recounted and illustrated by Nieuhof, accompanying the ambassadors of the powerful Dutch East India Company (VOC), had a strong impact on early modern Europe.
After negotiations prevented by the Portuguese at Macao, a new expedition to the imperial court at Beijing was organized by the East India Company. Departing in June 1655 from Jakarta (Batavia) to obtain new commercial routes, the embassy proved fruitless - except for this superb chronicle by Nieuhof, who observed and sketched from his ship numerous Chinese cities and ports, as well as their encounters with officials and common people. The order, wealth and potential profitability of China are transcribed through his Western eye in the hundreds of plates that compose the work. In their detail and sophistication, they depict a socio-natural order emblematic of the industry of the Chinese people and the authority of the new Qing dynasty.
Provenance: manuscript ex-libris on title page, "Ex Bibliotheca Comitis Ioannis Nepomuceni Esterhazy", probably Count Johann Nepomuk Esterhazy, nobleman of Hungarian origin, who was a musician and friend of Mozart.
€2,000
Marie de Vichy-Chamrond, Marquise du DEFFAND, Horace WALPOLE
Letters of the marquise du Deffand to the hon. Horace Walpole, afterwards earl of Oxford, from the year 1766 to the year 1780 - To which are added letters of the madame du Deffand to Voltaire from the year 1759 to the year 1775
Longman, Hurst, Rees & Orme|London 1810|11 x 18 cm|4 volumes reliés
First edition.
Full caramel calf bindings, spines with fine raised bands highlighted with gilt fillets and decorated with richly ornamented double gilt compartments, author's name in red calf, olive green calf volume labels, triple fillets stamped in blind on boards, blue paper endpapers and pastedowns, blind-stamped borders framing the pastedowns, two bookplates pasted on a pastedown of the first volume and following endpapers, gilt edges on cuts, red speckled edges, elegant English bindings
Our copy includes, in the first volume, the portrait of the Marquise du Deffand as frontispiece as well as a facsimile of her handwriting after the preface.
Fine copy very handsomely bound.

€450
Jeanne-Louise-Henriette CAMPAN
Mémoires sur la vie privée de Marie-Antoinette [Ensemble] De l'éducation [Ensemble] Journal anecdotique
P. Mongie Ainé • Baudouin frères|Paris 1822 - 1824|12.50 x 21 cm|6 volumes reliés
First editions of these three works by Madame Campan uniformly bound. One portrait frontispiece to the memoirs and a second to the Journal. This journal, called anecdotal, is composed of recollections from numerous conversations with Henriette Campan (Napoleon frequently appears) and unpublished correspondence with her son. In her book on the education of young girls, the treatise is followed by several exemplary theatrical pieces, modeled on those of Madame de Genlis.
Half red Russia leather binding with long grain. Smooth spine decorated with 3 fleurons, thick fillets and a roulette at tail. Red paper boards with long grain. Traces of rubbing. Skinning along the lower joint of volume 1. 10 corners slightly bumped. Scattered foxing. Handsome set.
Appointed lady-in-waiting to Queen Marie-Antoinette, after having been reader to the daughters of Louis XV, Jeanne-Louise-Henriette Campan passed into posterity for her Memoirs, which remain historical testimony on the court in the time of Louis XVI. Close to the queen, her confidante, she allows us to penetrate in a singular manner into her intimacy, notably regarding the famous affair of the queen's necklace. She remained at Versailles for more than two decades. Narrowly escaping the Terror during the French Revolution, she founded in 1794 an institution for young girls that would become famous in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, where the daughters of high nobility would pass through. In 1807, Napoleon placed her by imperial decree at the head of the educational establishment of the Legion of Honor at Ecouen, where she devoted herself to training future teachers, with the wish to make Ecouen a university for women.
Rare set of Madame Campan's works in uniform binding.
€800
Richard STEELE, Joseph ADDISON
Le Spectateur ou le Socrate moderne, où l'on voit un portrait naïf des Moeurs de ce Siécle
Chez Wetsteins & Smith|A Amsterdam 1741|9.50 x 17 cm|6 volumes reliés
New edition. The journal first appeared in volume form in 1712. Title pages in red and black. Statement of fifth edition.
Heraldic wheat sheaf device of Maynon de Farcheville in gilt compartments on spine, and bookplate of the same on pastedowns, with three wheat sheaves. Vincent Michel Maynon, president of the fourth chamber of inquiries at the Parliament of Paris, lord of Farcheville.
Contemporary full brown sheep, speckled and glazed. Spine with five raised bands, red morocco title labels, brown morocco volume labels, gilt compartments and floral ornaments. All edges speckled red. Headcap of volume I partly lacking, that of volume III at head partly worn. Lacks to head of volumes V and VI. Volume I, lack to upper joint at head. 5 corners slightly bumped. Very fresh paper. Rather handsome copy.
The Spectator was one of the first English periodicals to appear daily from 1711 to 1712. Intended for the Middle Class, Addison thought that despite its print run of 4,000 copies daily, it was read by approximately 60,000 Londoners. The Spectator was very popular and reprinted many times during the eighteenth century. It cast an ironic eye on English society and durably influenced the press through its innovation. Each issue ran around 2,000 words, with Addison and Steele sharing editorial duties. The Spectator in its current form is today a well-known English newspaper.
€650
Paul MORAND
Ci-gît Sophie Dorothée de Celle
Flammarion|Paris 1968|14.50 x 21 cm|reliure de l'éditeur
The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Publisher's full white cloth binding, complete with illustrated dust jacket with small tears at head of spine.
Handsome copy.
Fine autograph inscription signed by Paul Morand to a couple of friends: "A Marcel et Juliette, cette petite histoire romanesque, mais non romancée, des origines de l'actuelle maison royale d'Angleterre. Avec la reconnaissance de Paul Morand." (To Marcel and Juliette, this little romantic but not romanticized story of the origins of the current English royal house. With the gratitude of Paul Morand.)

€200
René DU GUAY-TROUIN
Memoires de Monsieur Du Guay-Trouin[The Memoirs of M. du Gué-Trouin]
S. n.|s. l. • [Paris] 1740|19.50 x 25.50 cm|relié
First edition, the only one authorized by the author. In 1730 a pirate edition appeared from Pierre Mortier in Amsterdam, in 12mo format. Duguay-Trouin having communicated the manuscript to the Regent, it was copied and published in 1730 by Pierre de Villepontaux who had the audacity to dedicate the edition to Duguay-Trouin himself. Title page in red and black.
The illustration comprises a portrait of Du Guay-Trouin as frontispiece, a vignette after B. Picard engraved by E. Fessard on the title page, and 6 folding plates of ships, squadrons and battles, engraved by J. P. Le Bas, and a folding plan of the capture of Rio de Janeiro in 1711.
Contemporary full brown marbled calf binding, spine with raised bands decorated, title label in brown morocco. Headcap, joints and corners expertly restored. One tear of 10 cm expertly restored (The ship Le Jason surrounded by the English squadron). Some pale scattered foxing, some leaves browned.
Du Guay-Trouin was undoubtedly one of the most famous naval officers of his time, active from the end of the 17th to the beginning of the 18th century. In writing the manuscript of his memoirs which he wished published only after his death, Du Guay-Trouin wanted to restore the truth about the naval combats that occurred during his expeditions.
At the end, list of ships commanded by Du Guay-Trouin with the crew members.
€2,800
Léopold FLAMENG, Hubert François GRAVELOT
Les dix journées
1873|11 x 17 cm|10 volumes reliés en 4
Illustrated edition with a portrait of Jean Boccaccio as frontispiece to the first volume and 11 etched out-of-text engravings by Léopold Flameng, one of 600 copies on Holland paper in forme.
Half straw-yellow morocco bindings with corners, spines with five raised bands decorated with black fillets, gilt dates at foot, red morocco title and volume labels, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, top edges gilt, bindings signed by Canape-Helz.
Our copy is exceptionally enhanced with a suite of engravings executed by Gravelot.
Handsome set.
€500
GARCILASO DE LA VEGA
Histoire des guerres civiles des espagnols dans les Indes, suivi de Suite des guerres civiles des espagnols dans le Peru
Chez Simeon Piget|à Paris 1658|17 x 23.50 cm|2 tomes reliés en un volume
Second French edition bringing together these two texts by Garcilaso de la Vega first published in Spanish in 1650. Frontispiece depicting in the foreground the landing of Spanish troops on American territory and in the background the indigenous population besieged in the heart of a burning city. In the lower section, a banner bears the inscription "Quid non mortalia pectora cogis auri sacra fames", taken from Virgil's Aeneid and translated by Molière as "O execrable hunger for gold, to what lengths do you not force men's hearts to go". Work decorated with headpieces and historiated initials.
Contemporary full vellum binding, smooth spine decorated at head with a pen-and-ink title almost faded. One corner slightly bumped, title page skillfully restored at inner margin, pale dampstain to lower margin on final gatherings.
Bookplate of the Nordkirchen family pasted on front pastedown. Manuscript ownership inscription on title page with initials "E. H. L.".
Natural son of a conquistador and an Inca princess, raised in two different cultures, Garcilaso de la Vega (1539-1616) offers a unique vision of Inca civilization by rejecting a Euro-centric view. While in his Royal Commentary, first published in France in 1633, de la Vega traced the history of the Inca rulers, he here proposes an account of the conflicts that animated the Spanish colonists after their arrival in Peru. His aim is to convey the upheaval caused by these internecine wars, both for the indigenous people and for the Spanish. In his address to the reader, de la Vega explains that the Inca rulers had succeeded in founding an empire where "Moral, Political, & Military Virtues" reigned; the arrival of the colonists and the execution of Atahualpa - the last independent emperor - disrupts the established order and is seen as the expression of "Ambition" and "Avarice" of these "new Hosts". De la Vega presents these events in the form of a true epic, seeking to show the reader "the various effects in this History, wonderfully entertaining, & where the Author endeavors to make the principal ones among those who were the true Actors play their role on this Stage". A continuation of his first major work on the History of the Incas, Kings of Peru, the History of the Civil Wars of the Spanish in the Indies offers the reader a vast panorama of Peruvian history in the few years following the conquest.
Handsome copy of this work of major importance in the historiography of the Spanish conquest of Peru.
€4,500
Jean GUÉHENNO
Jean-Jacques 1758-1778 - Grandeur et misère d'un esprit
Gallimard|Paris 1952|14.50 x 21 cm|broché
First edition, one of 53 numbered copies on pure linen paper, the only deluxe copies.
Fine copy despite the spine very lightly yellowed without consequence.
€150
Édouard SCHURÉ
Les prophètes de la Renaissance - Dante - Léonard de Vinci - Raphaël - Michel-Ange - Le Corrège
Librairie académique Perrin & Cie|Paris 1920|12 x 19 cm|broché
First edition on ordinary paper.
Spine sunned, handsome interior condition.
Rare autograph inscription signed by Edouard Schuré to the writer and poet Auguste Dorchain.
€150
HENRI II DE BOURBON
Lettre autographe datée et signée dans laquelle il promet d'intervenir en faveur de l'assassin Cardinet coupable d'avoir occis le fils d'un important magistrat de la ville de Bourges
s. l. 27 Avril 1630|16 x 21.50 cm|deux pages sur un feuillet
Autograph letter dated and signed by Henri II de Bourbon, Prince de Condé and father of the Grand Condé, 2 pages on one sheet, 27 lines in black ink.
Minor restorations and dampstain to left margin of the sheet. Discreet annotation by a former owner at head of verso of the letter.
Although he acknowledges the full atrocity of the crime perpetrated by sieur Cardinet against the person of the son of one of the most important magistrates of the city of Bourges, Henri II undertakes to intervene in favor of the assassin: "... l'action qui sest passee a Bourges est très méchante estant un assassinat très inhumain fait en plein jour contre le fils dun des principaus magistras de la ville. Japorteray pour vostre respect tout mon pouvoir pour ledit Cardinet et espère pour lamour de vous et pour lobeissance que je vous veus rendre le tirer daffaire..." ["... the action that took place at Bourges is very wicked being a very inhuman assassination done in broad daylight against the son of one of the principal magistrates of the city. I will bring for your respect all my power for the said Cardinet and hope for love of you and for the obedience that I wish to render you to get him out of trouble..."] but in no case for his accomplices: "Je dis lui seul car pour les autres complices je tiens la chose impossible sans une abolition du Roy principalement estants tous prisonniers presentement je despescheray à Bourges a cet effet est en ceste petite occasion que je voudrois estre plus grande..." ["I say him alone for as for the other accomplices I hold the thing impossible without an abolition from the King principally being all prisoners presently I will dispatch to Bourges to this effect and in this small occasion that I would wish to be greater..."]
€1,200
Jacques NECKER
De l'Administration des finances de la France
S. n.|s. l. 1784|10.50 x 17.70 cm|3 volumes reliés
First edition. Carpenter, who compiled a bibliography of Necker's principal works (Economic Bestsellers before 1850), specifies that there were 7 issues of the first edition. The first contain errata and the following ones have the errors corrected. This edition contains errata in each volume, a folding table at the end of volume I with populations and contributions, a 3-page supplement at the end of volume II citing the 1784 edict on finances. This issue with different collation and smaller format is very rarely encountered.
Contemporary full blonde marbled sheep binding. Raised band spine decorated. Title and volume labels in beige calf. Small fragment of leather missing from the upper joint at the head of volume I. On the upper board of volume I, nibbling marks. A black stain on the volume label of volume I. A fragment of leather missing at the tail of volume III. Rubbing, particularly to corners. Paper generally relatively fresh, with beige matter on page 37 in volume I, which nevertheless leaves the characters visible. In the margin of each title page, manuscript name in ink, Victoire Corneillan. Handsome copy.
A major and unparalleled work of political economy, undoubtedly the only one presenting a state of the kingdom's finances before the Revolution. Originally a banker but appointed minister of finances during three periods (1777-1781, 1788-1789, 1789-1790), Necker remained famous for his opposition to physiocratic theses and his adherence to neo-mercantilism. He changed economic methods to restore France's finances, not by raising taxes but by increasing interest rates and taxes on imported goods.

€1,200
(Louis de Rouvroy, Duc de SAINT-SIMON) COLLECTIF
Album Saint-Simon
Gallimard • , Bibliothèque de La Pléiade|Paris 1969|10.50 x 17.50 cm|reliure de l'éditeur sous étui
First edition.
Publisher's full brown grained sheep binding, orange top edge, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets.
Rich iconography assembled and annotated by Georges Poisson, autograph inscription signed and dated by the latter to Madame Durand on the half-title page.
Handsome copy complete with its rhodoid which has a small cut at the level of the first cover, its dust jacket and its flexible slipcase.
€120
François FERTIAULT
Histoire anecdotique et pittoresque de la danse chez les peuples anciens et modernes
Auguste Aubry|Paris 1854|9 x 15.50 cm|relié
First edition.
Half red shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands outlined with black fillets and decorated with gilt fleurons, small black stain to head of spine, marbled paper boards, combed paper endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers preserved, top edge gilt, binding signed Tripon at foot of spine.
Handsome copy with some minor foxing.
€120
Pierre-Louis ROEDERER
Mémoire pour servir à une nouvelle histoire de Louis XII, le père du peuple
Imprimerie de Firmin Didot|Paris 1819|13.50 x 21 cm|broché
First edition in original wrappers.
Library stamp on title page, foxing.
Copy presented under blue temporary covers, title label pasted at head of spine, small lacks and corner tears to boards.
Provenance: from the library of Count de Montalembert with his manuscript ownership inscription at head of half-title page.
€70
René de LESPINASSE
Histoire générale de Paris - Les métiers et les corporations de la ville de Paris XIVe-XVIII siècle : Ordonnances générales métiers de l'alimentation. - Orfèvrerie, sculpture, mercerie, ouvriers en métaux, bâtiment et ameublement. - Tissus, étoffes, vêtement cuirs et peaux, métiers divers
Imprimerie Nationale|Paris 1886-1897|24 x 34.50 cm|3 volumes reliés
First edition printed on laid paper for the first two volumes.
Publisher's Bradel binding in full sea-green boards, smooth spine with small tears at foot, spine and boards of the second volume uniformly faded and lightened, corners slightly bumped.
Work illustrated with figures in the text.
Handsome complete set in 3 volumes.
€380
Albert CHAMBERLAND
Le conflit de 1597 entre Henri IV et le parlement de Paris
Honoré Champion • L. Michaud|Paris • & Reims 1904|14.50 x 23 cm|broché
The rare first edition.
Light clear dampstains to covers marginally and slightly dusty, handsome interior condition.

€60
Alfred MOREL-FATIO
Rapport adressé à M. le ministre de l'Instruction publique sur une mission philologique à Valence suivi d'une étude sur le "Livre des femmes", poème valencien du XVe siècle, de maître Jaume Roig
S. n.|Paris 1885|16.50 x 24.50 cm|broché
First edition published in a small number of copies.
Spine cracked at head and foot, minor tears to board margins without consequence, some light foxing, scratches to margin of second board.
Rare copy complete with its folding plate.
€60
Henri MARTIN
La monarchie au XVIIe siècle - Etude sur le système et l'influence personnelle de Louis XIV principalement en ce qui concerne la cour, les lettres, les arts et les croyances pendant la première période du gouvernement de ce prince, vues comparées de Louis XIV et de Bossuet
Plon frères|Paris 1848|17 x 24.50 cm|broché
First edition of the thesis by one of the most important historians of the 19th century.
Interior foxing also affecting the board margins, two small lacks at head and foot of the warped spine.
€150
René DU GUAY-TROUIN
Memoires de Monsieur Du Guay-Trouin[The Memoirs of M. du Gué-Trouin]
Chez Pierre Mortier|Amsterdam 1740|19.50 x 26 cm|relié
Pirate edition (!) with Amsterdam imprint of Pierre Mortier, published the same year as the original Parisian edition, with perfectly identical collation, but with a different title vignette.
The illustration comprises a portrait of Du Guay-Trouin as frontispiece, 5 folding plates of ships, squadrons and battles engraved by J. P. Le Bas, and a folding plan of the capture of Rio de Janeiro in 1711.
Contemporary full brown calf binding, spine with five raised bands richly decorated, triple blind fillet frame to boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, all edges red. Headcaps and corners skillfully restored. Some gatherings browned.
Du Guay-Trouin was undoubtedly one of the most famous naval officers of his time, active from the end of the 17th to the beginning of the 18th century. In writing the manuscript of his memoirs, which he wished to be published only after his death, he wanted to establish the truth about the naval battles that occurred during his expeditions.

€2,500
Robert de HESSELN
Dictionnaire universel de la France
Chez Dessaint|à Paris 1771|10.50 x 17.20 cm|6 volumes reliés
First edition.
Contemporary full marbled and polished brown calf binding. Spine richly gilt in compartments with raised bands, gilt roll tooling at head- and tailbands. Red morocco title labels, tan morocco volume labels. Headcaps of volumes I and V worn; headcap of volume VI torn off. Upper joint of volume I split at foot. Fourteen corners rubbed. Occasional minor foxing, heavier browning to endpapers and half-titles.

€900
Jean CALVIN
Lexicon iuridicum iuris romani simul, et canonici [avec] Complementum lexici perfecti[Legal Lexicon of Roman and Canon Law [with] Supplement to the Perfect Lexicon]
Apud haeredes Andreae Wecheli [Andreas Wechel]|Francofurti [Francfort] [Frankfurt am Main] 1600|21.50 x 34 cm|relié
Rare first edition. Text in two columns. Very fine printer's device on the title page and at the colophon.
Contemporary full vellum binding, smooth spine with pen-and-ink title, some stains on boards.
Some worming without touching the text as well as scattered dampstains.
Originally from Hesse, Calvin was professor of jurisprudence at the University of Heidelberg as well as a compiler and author of manuals on politics, Roman law and Mosaic law.
€1,700
Marie-Madeleine Pioche de La Vergne LA FAYETTE, Claudine-Alexandrine Guérin TENCIN
Oeuvres complètes de mesdames de La Fayette, de Tencin et de Fontaines avec des notices historiques et littéraires par M. Auger
Madame veuve Lepetit|Paris 1820|13 x 20.50 cm|4 volumes reliés
New edition illustrated with a frontispiece engraving in each volume.
Bindings in half bottle-green Russia morocco, spines with five fine raised bands decorated with typographical motifs and gilt friezes showing slight rubbing, apple-green cardboard boards, marbled paper endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges, contemporary bindings.
Foxing, two spines faded.
€250
ANONYME
Journal, contenant tout ce qui s'est faict et passé en la cour de Parlement de Paris, toutes les Chambres Assemblées, sur le sujet des affaires du temps présent [avec] Procez verbaux des deux conférences : la première tenue à Ruel [...] la seconde tenue à S. Germain en Laye [avec] Suite du journal des assemblées du Parlement, depuis la Saint Martin 1650 jusques à Pasques 1651
Gervais Alliot • Jacques Langlois • par les imprimeurs ordinaires du Roy • Simon Langlois|Paris 1652, 1649, 1651|17 x 23 cm|relié
New edition for the first text, first edition for the two others.
Contemporary full vellum binding, smooth spine decorated with contemporary pen annotations, second cover with a lack of vellum exposing the cardboard backing.
Some marginal worm damage, not touching the text.
Interesting collection of texts relating the difficult years of the parliamentary Fronde.
€750
Mathieu-François PIDANSAT DE MAIROBERT
L'espion anglois, ou correspondance secrète entre Milord All'Eye et Milord All'Ear
Chez John Adamson|à Londres [London] 1784 - 1785|10 x 16.60 cm|10 volumes reliés
Edition with some parts in first edition. Rare gathering of the 10 volumes forming the complete edition of L'Espion anglois, newly published with the addition of the 3 final volumes. The first four volumes were originally published in 1775. Volumes V, VI, VII appeared in 1783, and the last three in 1784, after the author's death. A table, often absent, in volume III, lists the king's ships. A second table of taxation in the kingdom in volume V, most often missing.
Contemporary half marbled and glazed calf binding. Smooth decorated spine, tooled rolls at foot. Red calf title label, black sheep volume label. A hole along the upper joint at the foot of volume I. Narrow split at the beginning of the upper joint of volume 3 at head. One leaf detached at the end of volume 3.
The last leaf of volume 9 is missing, with the words "end of second volume" and the following final lines: "l'experience, elle confirme ce que je vous ai dit. C'est un empirique, appelé auprès d'un malade désespéré, qui n'a pas plus qu'un autre le secret d'empêcher de mourir ; mais qui par des secousses, des cordiaux, rend une vie momentanée au moribond, lui procure même un enbompoint apparent, après avoir fait crier au miracle, , se retire, sauf à.rejeter fur la faute de son successeur ou de fon malade le funeste événement par où fe doit terminer ce prodige prétendu. Mais hélas! Milord, fongeons à nous, & puisse les Français ne pas être les premiers à rire sur notre tombe !"
A very fresh copy. A handsome set.
Rich collection that presents a complete picture of France under Louis XVI (precisely from 1774 to 1779), as much economic as literary, cultural, political, musical, military and social. One will find curiosities such as letters on the capture of Dominica and the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, on Marseille, the Americans, Martinique, the combat of the Belle-poule, Voltaire, Beaumarchais, songs, numerous dialogues and book reviews... The whole forming a kaleidoscope of a thousand colors, flavorful and of certain interest for the period. Pidansat de Mairobert, royal censor, committed suicide after being implicated in the trial of the marquis de Brunoy and blamed by parliament, accused of relations with the English press.
€700
Jacques CASANOVA
Mémoires volumes I, II & III - Complet en trois volumes
Gallimard • , Bibliothèque de La Pléiade|Paris 1958-1970 -1960|10.50 x 17.50 cm|3 volumes en reliures de l'éditeur
Bibliothèque de La Pléiade edition printed on Bible paper.
Publisher's full blue grained sheep bindings, blue top edges, smooth spines decorated with gilt fillets.
Fine complete set retaining protective wraps but lacking dust jackets and slipcases.
€100
Antoine BRET
La belle alsacienne ou telle mère telle fille
Imprimerie de Cottin|Paris 1801|8.50 x 13.50 cm|2 volumes reliés en 1
First edition under this title and the most accomplished definitive version of this licentious story attributed to Antoine Bret (and previously to Claude Villaret), whose first version appeared in Amsterdam in 1745 under the title Galanteries de Thérèse.
Half red shagreen binding, spine with four raised bands set with gilt dotwork and decorated with gilt compartments, red pasteboard boards with black stains, marbled endpapers and pastedowns.
Rare work illustrated with 2 frontispiece engravings.

A delightful little libertine novel, supposedly autobiographical, of a young courtesan who recounts her apprenticeship in the profession by her mother and, naturally, her flourishing. But the particularity of the work is to maintain confusion between titillating fiction and supposedly authentic narrative. The preface itself is signed by the presumed authoress, who justifies the presence of her portrait as frontispiece, through argumentation of pure misogyny: "The essential thing about a woman is beauty; wit and virtues are only accessory qualities; the first does not always give as much pleasure as it seems to promise, the second, however respectable and boring, rather resembles those curiosities which, being of no use in the commerce of life, are good at most for display."
Republished in the bibliophile's collection at the end of the century, the novel was preceded by an erudite preface, revealing the true author and analyzing the secular success of this work:
"Even its morality is quite indicative. Thérèse does not display profound, disappointing, or even merely troublesome philosophy, but she knows how to find picturesque, colorful, rapid traits of observation; she abounds in practical reflections that are wisely practical. And finally she recommends herself above all by a good heart, one of those kindnesses that facilitate life, and more particularly gallant life. All these qualities suffice to make the reading of these short memoirs both endearing and attractive, which truly depict, without great rhetoric, the rapid stages of existence of a girl who has of herself devoted herself to giving pleasure, sparing neither her body nor her heart."
€700
Charles, marquis de VILLETTE
Mes cahiers
S. n.|Senlis 1789|13.50 x 21 cm|broché
First edition.
Rare and handsome fascicle presented under temporary cover and in its original wrappers.
€250
Honoré Gabriel Riquetti Comte de MIRABEAU
Lettre du comte de Mirabeau à M... sur MM Cagliostro et Lavater
François de La Garde|Paris 1786|14.50 x 22 cm|broché
First edition of this work addressed to the new King of Prussia Friedrich Wilhelm against the three great impostors of the time: Cagliostro, Lavater and Mesmer.
First page creased (title page), some light foxing.
Rare work in original stitching.
€230
Josef Niklas WINDISCH-GRAETZ
Discours dans lequel on examine les deux questions suivantes : 1 - Un monarque a-t-il le droit de changer de son chef une constitution évidemment vicieuse ? 2 - Est-il prudent à lui, est-il de son itérêt de l'entreprendre ? Suivi de réflexions pratiques
S. n.|s. l. 1788|14 x 21.50 cm|broché
First edition.
Some minor foxing of no consequence.
Rare and handsome copy in its original temporary covers and original stitching.
€280
ANONYME
De l'administration diocésaine en Languedoc, pour servir d'instruction aux députés de cette province aux etats-généraux
S. n.|s. l. 1789|14 x 22.50 cm|broché
First edition presented in its original wrappers.
Rare and handsome copy.
Autograph inscription signed by the author: "Pour monsieur le marquis de Chalvet. Na : cet écrit fut publié en xbre 1788." ["For monsieur le marquis de Chalvet. Note: this work was published in December 1788."]
€200
Louis-Charles-François PETIT-RADEL
Recherches sur les bibliothèques anciennes et modernes jusqu'à la fondation de la bibliothèque Mazarine et sur les causes qui ont favorisé l'accroissement successif du nombre de ses livres
Chez Rey et Gavier|Paris 1819|13.50 x 21.50 cm|broché
First edition.
A dampstain at foot throughout the work, spine split, title written in black ink at head of unlettered spine.
The frontispiece and two folding plans are lacking from our copy presented in temporary wrappers and in its original stitching.
€100
Marie-Charlotte de BEAUVAU, Madame, née Noailles STANDISH
Souvenirs de la Princesse de Beauvau (née Rohan-Chabot) suivis des Mémoires du maréchal Prince de Beauvau recueillis et mis en ordre par madame Standish (née Noailes) son arrière-petite-fille
Léon Techener|Paris 1872|18 x 26.50 cm|broché
First edition, one of the rare copies printed on Holland paper, of which no mention is made.
Split spine, corner losses to boards, handsome interior condition.
Illustrated work, with frontispieces to each of the two texts showing portraits of the Princess and Prince de Beauvau, here in duplicate states.

€300
Friedrich Melchior GRIMM
Nouveaux mémoires secrets et inédits, historiques, politiques anecdotiques et littéraires, du baron de Grimm, agent, à Paris, de la cour de Russie et de Pologne, ou chronique curieuse des personnages célèbres qui ont illustré le siècle dernier, suivie de la relation de ses voyages
Lerouge-Wolf|Paris 1834|13.50 x 22 cm|2 volumes reliés
First edition.
Half red cloth Bradel bindings, smooth spines decorated with central gilt fleuron, dates and double gilt fillets at foot of spines, brown shagreen title-labels with scratches and angular lacks, pebbled paper boards, original wrappers preserved, upper corners of second volume damaged.
A light dampstain at foot of last leaves of first volume, occasional foxing.
Bookplates pasted to pastedowns.
Rare work complete in two volumes.

€600
Charles MAGNIN
Les origines du théâtre moderne ou histoire du génie dramatique depuis le Ier jusqu'au XVIe siècle précédés d'une introduction contenant des études sur les origines du théâtre antique - Tome 1 seul paru
Hachette|Paris 1838|13 x 21.50 cm|relié
First edition of which only the first volume was published.
Half red glazed calf binding, spine with four raised bands set with double gilt fillets decorated with triple black compartments, gilt frieze at foot of spine, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, contemporary binding.
A light angular dampstain at foot of first leaves, four small tears without consequence to front board, some foxing at end of volume.

€150
Alexandre-Maxime LEGENDRE
Adrien de Tourville
Imprimerie Berger-Levrault & Cie|Nancy 1904|16.50 x 25 cm|broché
First edition published in a small number of copies of this speech delivered during the session of December 21, 1903 at the Court of Appeal of Paris.
Rare and handsome copy despite a slight marginal tear to the second cover.
€60
BERAGE
Les plus secrets mystères des hauts grades de la maçonnerie dévoilés, ou le vrai Rose-Croix, traduit de l'anglois; suivi du Noachite, trad. de l'allemand
S. n.|à Jérusalem [Jerusalem] 1778|9.80 x 16.80 cm|relié
New edition, after the original published in 1766, in Berlin. It is illustrated with a large folding plate containing 22 Masonic emblems. The first edition contains a frontispiece, which may be missing from this new edition.
Half red shagreen binding ca 1860. Spine with false flat raised bands decorated with fillets. Red shagreen title label. Evidence of rubbing, particularly at head. Title page yellowed. Some foxing.
The work begins with a history of Freemasonry, followed by the detailed study of the following 7 Scottish high degrees: Perfect elected Mason, elect of P., elect of the 15, small architect, grand architect, knight of the sword and Rose-Cross, Noachite or Prussian knight.
The Noachite is the work of Karl Fr. von Köppen.

€800
(Louis de Rouvroy, Duc de SAINT-SIMON) COLLECTIF
Album Saint-Simon
Gallimard • , Bibliothèque de La Pléiade|Paris 1969|10.50 x 17.50 cm|reliure de l'éditeur
First edition.
Publisher's binding in full brown grained sheep, orange top edge, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets.
Rich iconography.
Handsome copy complete with its cellophane wrapper, lacking dust jacket and slipcase.
€70
Jehanne D'ORLIAC
Christine de Suède, la Reine chaste et folle
Editions des portiques|Paris 1934|12 x 19 cm|broché
First edition, one of 36 numbered copies on pure Lafuma laid paper, the only deluxe copies.
Handsome copy despite the title page slightly shadowed due to the frontispiece portrait on the facing page.
Signed autograph inscription from Jehanne d'Orliac to Louis Brun.
€120
Pierre de VAISSIÈRE
Conjuration de Cinq-Mars
Hachette|Paris 1928|12 x 18.50 cm|broché
First edition, one of 11 numbered copies on Holland paper, deluxe copy.
Handsome copy despite endpapers very lightly and partially shadowed.
€120
Maurice BARRÈS
Gréco
Emile-Paul frères|Paris 1912|11.50 x 18.50 cm|relié
First edition on ordinary paper.
Bradel binding in red half cloth, smooth spine decorated with a gilt floral motif, double gilt fillet at foot, chocolate brown shagreen title-label, marbled paper boards, original wrappers preserved.
Signed and inscribed by Maurice Barrès to the lawyer and politician Joseph Paul-Boncour.
€180
Jean-Louis SCHEFER
Le Déluge, la Peste, Paolo Ucello
Editions Galilée|Paris 1976|13.50 x 21.50 cm|broché
The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.
Precious autograph inscription from Jean-Louis Schefer to Pierre Klossowski.

€60
François René de CHATEAUBRIAND
Oeuvres complètes
chez Ladvocat|à Paris 1826 -1831|12.50 x 21 cm, longueur totale de la série 89 cm|32 volumes
First collected edition of the works of François-René de Chateaubriand, each volume decorated with a frontispiece engraved by Charles Thompson depicting a young woman seated on a stone engraved "Chateaubriand, Œuvres complètes" and contemplating the horizon. The author contributed largely to the publication of this edition through the organization of the whole and by writing new prefaces for all the texts. As he writes himself these prefaces are more pieces of autobiography than prefaces.
Binding in half brown calf strictly contemporary Restoration period. Spine with raised bands decorated with 2 blind stamps, roulettes at head and tail and on the bands. Brown calf title label and volume labels. Lack at tail of volume 4. Volume 5 bis, lacks to joints at head, surface wear at tail. Volume 5 ter, upper joint split at head, accident at head with lacks, tail headcap worn. Surface wear at tail of volumes 9 and 10. Volume 11, surface wear at tail with small lack. Volumes 18 and 19, surface wear at tail. Volumes 23, 24, 27 and 28, surface wear at tail. Head of volume 28 rubbed. Supplement to volume 22 rubbed. Apart from some rare worming, set superbly fresh on fine laid paper (but often foxing on endpapers).
Fine series with minimal defects of this important first collected edition of Chateaubriand's works.
The set breaks down as follows:
-Essai sur les révolutions, in 2 volumes. V1 and 2. 1826.
-Mélanges historiques, in 1 volume. V 3. 1827.
-Etudes historiques, in 4 volumes. V 5, 5 bis, 5 ter. 1831.
-Voyages en Amérique, in 2 volumes. V 6 and 7. (with second numbering 1 and 2). 1827.
-Itinéraire, in 3 volumes. V 8, 9 and 10 (with second numbering 1 to 3). 1826. Binder's error in volume 2, the second part begins at p. 17, and the beginning of this second part is bound later, at the end of this part.
-Génie du christianisme, in 5 volumes (second numbering from 1 to 5). 1826 - 1827.
-Atala, René and Le dernier Abencerage, in 1 volume. 1826.
-Les Martyrs, in 3 volumes (second numbering from 1 to 3). 1826.
-Les Natchez, in 2 volumes (this being the first edition of this early work by Chateaubriand). 1826.
-Mélanges littéraires, in 1 volume. 1826.
-Mélanges et poésies, in 1 volume. 1828.
-Discours et opinions, in 1 volume. 1826.
-Mélanges politiques, in 2 volumes (second numbering 1 to 2). 1826 and 1828.
-Polémique, in 1 volume. 1827.
-De la liberté de la presse, in 1 volume. 1828.
-Table, in 1 volume. 1831. (conjugate leaves)
- Appendix to 22nd volume, without volume numbering. Moïse. 1831.
Between the first deliveries by subscription and the last, a year passed, and depending on the date when the order for the works was placed it could take longer, it therefore goes almost without saying that the volumes do not always bear the same dates, the publisher drawing from his stocks and reprinting to honor orders, thus the dates extend from 1826 to 1831. For example, the two volumes constituting the Mélanges littéraires are the first from 1826 and the second from 1828...
19th-century armorial bookplate of a baron, 2 greyhounds flanking the shield

€2,000
Isabelle AUTISSIER
Kerguelen. Le Voyageur du Pays de l'Ombre
Grasset|Paris 2006|14 x 22.50 cm|broché
The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.
Autograph inscription signed by Isabelle Autissier to a man named Louis: "... quelques embruns très froids en provenance des 50èmes Sud." ["... some very cold sea spray from the 50th parallel South."]
€70
Duc de BRISSAC
Les Brissac Maison de Cossé
Fasquelle|Paris 1952|14 x 19 cm|broché
First edition on ordinary paper.
Small tear at foot of spine, light worming to upper left corner of front board.
Fine autograph inscription signed by a member of the Brissac family: "Un cousin de l'auteur et un ami de Vincennes touché de l'intérêt que vous portez à une famille qui a connu jusqu'aux cachots du donjon. Charles de Cossé de Brissac 22 Novembre 1957." ["A cousin of the author and a friend from Vincennes, touched by the interest you show in a family that has known even the dungeons of the keep. Charles de Cossé de Brissac November 22, 1957."]
€50
Abel DECHÊNE
Le Dauphin fils de Louis XV
Librairie du Dauphin|Paris 1931|14.50 x 19.50 cm|broché
The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Handsome copy despite spine lightly sunned.
Precious signed autograph inscription from Abel Dechêne to historian Louis Madelin.
€80
Alfred RIGNY, Pierre NOURY
Les Drapeaux des Etats-Unis. - The american flags (Old glory)
Gründ|Paris 1945|13 x 17.50 cm|broché
First edition illustrated with drawings by Pierre Noury.
Minor stains of no consequence to foot of second cover.
Handsome copy of this work tracing the history and evolution of the American flag.

€150
André DHÔTEL
Le Roman de Jean-Jacques
Editions du sud|Paris 1962|16 x 21 cm|reliure de l'éditeur
The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Publisher's full grey cloth binding, smooth spine, with the illustrated dust jacket which has some minor marginal tears and tiny corner chips of no consequence.
Signed autograph inscription from André Dhôtel to Monsieur Pittner.
€70
EGGER
Le Papier dans l'Antiquité et dans les Temps modernes
Hachette & Cie|Paris 1866|9.50 x 10.50 cm|broché
First edition.
Small stains on covers, two tears to margin of half-title page and at foot of rear cover, handsome copy.
€50
Stefan ZWEIG
Marie-Stuart
Grasset|Paris 1936|14 x 21 cm|broché
First edition of the French translation, one of 68 numbered copies on pur fil paper, after only 13 Japan and 20 Holland.
Spine with two sun-faded areas at head and foot, endpapers lightly and partially shaded, a manuscript gift inscription at the head of the first endpaper.
€680
Ernest BOYSSE
Les Abonnés de l'Opéra (1783-1786)
A. Quantin|Paris 1881|11.50 x 18.50 cm|relié
First edition printed on laid paper.
Handsome copy illustrated with a frontispiece and 4 out-of-text portraits etched.
Bradel binding in half safron percale, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets, black shagreen title label, speckled paper boards, original wrappers preserved, corners slightly bumped, bookplate of the famous bibliophile Paul Lacombe pasted on a pastedown, contemporary binding signed in blind by Lemardeley.
€120
Lucien JACQUES
Vingt et Une Chansons de Shakespeare & de son temps
Chez l'auteur|Manosque 1953|12.50 x 16.50 cm|en feuilles
First edition of the adaptation established by Lucien Jacques printed in 200 numbered copies on alfa paper.
Handsome copy.
Work illustrated with 20 linocuts by Lucien Jacques.

€60
Gustave TOUDOUZE, Maurice LELOIR
Le roy soleil
Boivin et Cie|Paris 1931|30 x 37 cm|relié
New edition, illustrated with 40 magnificent watercolors by Maurice Leloir, 34 full-page and 2 double-page, printed in chromotypography. Title page in blue and gold with the arms of Louis XIV and his cipher. All leaves are mounted.
Publisher's binding in full royal blue cloth. Smooth spine with gilt title. Large polychrome and gilt plate on the upper cover depicting Louis XIV on horseback. The title in a red leather cartouche. Rubbing under the cartouche. Headcaps slightly depressed. Foxing on the endpapers but otherwise fresh paper, free from foxing.
Very handsome copy.

€700
Théodore CAHU, Maurice LELOIR
Richelieu
Boivin et Cie|Paris 1910|30 x 37 cm|relié
New edition, illustrated with 40 color illustrations after watercolors by Maurice Leloir, including 29 in-text and 11 full-page, printed in chromotypography. Leaves entirely mounted on guards.
Publisher's green and gold boards. Smooth spine with gilt title running lengthwise. Large special polychrome and gilt plate on the upper cover depicting Richelieu in armor under his cardinal's habit. Plate signed J. Fau. Binding signed Poensin. Headcap and joints rubbed, edges and corners as well. Corners turned. Paper very fresh, free of foxing. 2 micro tears along the lower joint, caused by rubbing, the fabric is composed of threads. A dark comma mark on the lower cover. Binding slightly loose, with some play.
Handsome copy.

€450
COLLECTIF
Album Théâtre classique, la Vie théâtrale sous Louis XIII et Louis XIV
Gallimard • , Bibliothèque de La Pléiade|Paris 1970|10.50 x 17.50 cm|reliure de l'éditeur
First edition.
Publisher's full brown grained sheep binding, orange top edge, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets.
Rich iconography.
A handsome copy complete with its cellophane wrapper and dust jacket but lacking its slipcase.
€80
Edgar KNECHT
Le Mythe du Juif errant. Essai de Mythologie littéraire et de Sociologie religieuse
Presses universitaires de Grenoble|Grenoble 1977|17 x 24 cm|broché
The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.
Signed and inscribed by Edgar Knecht to Claude Duchet.

€60
François-Martin SALVAT, Jean RACINE
Abrégé de l'Histoire de Port-Royal
A l'enseigne du Pot Cassé|Paris 1928|13.50 x 20 cm|broché
New edition, one of 50 numbered copies on Japan paper, deluxe copy.
Handsome copy.
Work illustrated with wood engravings in head- and tailpieces by François-Martin Salvat.
€150
René BENJAMIN
Saint Vincent de Paul
A la Cité des Livres|Paris 1930|15 x 21.50 cm|broché
First edition, one of 10 numbered copies on Japan paper, deluxe issue.
Handsome full-margined copy despite spine and boards lightly and marginally discolored as usual.
Autograph inscription signed by René Benjamin to historian Jean Longnon.
€150
Lucien DUBECH
Poèmes
A la Cité des Livres|Paris 1928|15 x 21.50 cm|broché
First edition, one of 5 numbered copies on Japan paper, deluxe issue.
Handsome full-margined copy despite two small traces of sunning at head and foot of spine.
Autograph inscription signed by Lucien Dubech to historian Jean Longnon: "... en souvenir affectueux de nos voyages à l'été de 1928..." ["in affectionate memory of our travels in the summer of 1928..."]
€120
Lucien DUBECH
Poèmes pour les Ombres
A la Cité des Livres|Paris 1922|14.50 x 21 cm|broché
First edition, one of 10 lettered and named copies on Japan paper, deluxe issue.
Fine full-margined copy.
Autograph inscription signed by Lucien Dubech to historian Jean Longnon in the form of a quatrain.
€120
ANONYME
Manuscrit inédit intitulé "Mémoires pour servir à l'histoire du publicanisme moderne contenant l'origine, les noms, qualités, le portrait et l'histoire abrégée de nosseigneurs les fermiers généraux du Roy qui se sont succédés depuis l'année 1720 jusqu'à la présente année 1750" [avec] "Mémoires pour servir à l'histoire du publicanisme ou l'Origine des receveurs généraux des finances du royaume"Manuscript entitled "Memoires pour servir a l'histoire du publicanisme moderne
s. l. 1750|23 x 38 cm|2 manuscrits reliés en un volume
Manuscript entitled “Mémoires pour servir à l'histoire du publicanisme moderne
contenant l'origine, les noms, qualités, le portrait et l'histoire abrégée de nosseigneurs
les fermiers généraux du Roy qui se sont succédés depuis l'année 1720 jusqu'à la
présente année 1750” [with] “Mémoires pour servir à l'histoire du publicanisme
ou l'Origine des receveurs généraux des finances du royaume”

1750 | folio (23 x 38 cm) | 330 pp (4 p. bl.) (8 p.) (4 p. bl.) 83 pp. | contemporary full calf

Important and long manuscript composed of two parts written by two different hands retracing in total 160 biographies of the Fermiers Généraux active between 1720 and 1750, lavish and unpopular collectors of indirect taxes in the Ancien Régime. Each of the parts also contains a very useful index.

The entries – with the exception of 19 of them – are all decorated with a coat of arms drawn in pencil, painted by hand in colour and sometimes enhanced with gold or silver. Some modern notes (some juicy) in pencil in the margin of certain leaves. These memoirs have never been the object of a publication and we know of only a few handwritten copies with varying texts. The other examples that we have been able to find, including the one digitised by the French National Library, contain fewer biographies that ours and are not illustrated.

Contemporary binding in full blond marbled calf, title pieces in black and red morocco. Joints, top of the first board and spine head repaired, joints of the first board split but solid, scratches on the boards, corners damaged.
A very beautiful manuscript, richly painted, retracing the history of the most despised institution of the Ancien Régime.

Provenance: library of Count Chandon de Briailles, descendent of the founders of the famous house of Champagne, then of the Michel de Bry library with its motto ”Pro captu lectoris” with their ex-libris glued to the first endpapers.
€15,000
(to Victor HUGO) Antoine de LATOUR
Luther, Etude historique
Georges Decaux|Paris 1835|12.50 x 20 cm|relié
First edition printed in 100 copies.
Bradel binding in half green Russian morocco, smooth spine, date and place gilt at foot, pebbled paper boards, marbled paper endpapers and pastedowns.
One restoration to the margin of the title page using an adhesive piece.
Rare and precious signed autograph inscription from Antoine de Latour "A monsieur Victor Hugo, hommage de tendre dévouement" ["To Monsieur Victor Hugo, tribute of tender devotion"]
The inscription has been slightly trimmed, missing the last letter of the word dévouement.
€750
Cesar de NOSTRADAMUS
L'histoire et chronique de Provence ou passent de temps en temps en bel ordre les anciens poètes, personnages et familles illustres qui ont fleuri depuis VC ans oultre plusieurs races de France, d'Italie, Hespagne, Languedoc, Dauphiné et Piémont
Simon Rigaud pour la soc. Caldorienne|Lyon 1614|22.50 x 36 cm|relié
First edition. Engraved frontispiece title-page by Dubrayet, out-of-text portrait of César de Nostradamus engraved in copperplate, 253 coats of arms, 2 medals and 1 vignette engraved on wood in the text, text surrounded by a black fillet. Beautiful engraved frontispiece title with allegories of Aix, Arles, Avignon and Marseille.
Contemporary full brown sheep binding. Spine with raised bands decorated with 5 small fleurons. Tawny sheep title label. Blind fillet frame on covers. Rubbing and surface wear. Paper uniformly yellowed. Faint dampstain in lower margin pp. 1 to 245. Lack to upper corner of frontispiece, in margin. Brown stains on leaf a in margin. Light scattered dampstains.
The first work of importance on Provence, the work is written in a sustained, sometimes baroque style. Despite inaccuracies in certain genealogies, this history remains precious for all the events of which César de Nostradamus was a direct witness, notably the troubles of the League in Provence. César de Nostredame was the son of the famous astrologer and physician, he occupied himself mainly with poetry and L'histoire de Provence is his major work.

€2,200
Gabriel LEGUÉ
Urbain Grandier et les Possédées de Loudun
Ludovic Baschet|Paris 1880|19 x 28 cm|relié
Second edition printed on laid paper.
Full red morocco binding, spine slightly browned with five raised bands set with black fillets, gilt roulettes on the headcaps, gilt fillets on the leading edges, combed paper endpapers and pastedowns, gilt dentelle border on the pastedowns, original parchment front cover preserved, top edge gilt, light rubbing to corners, modern bibliophile's label pasted at foot of endpaper as bookplate, elegant unsigned binding.
Work illustrated with 16 hors-texte plates including the frontispiece (the folding plate placed between pages 258 and 259 with a marginal tear restored with an adhesive piece).
Autograph inscription signed by Gabriel Legué to his friend Doctor Fiaux; the latter having added below a new autograph inscription which he signed as a gift for Madame Marcelle Médard-Rouville.
€380
Emile G. LEONARD
L'Armée et ses Problèmes au XVIIIe Siècle
Plon|Paris 1938|14 x 20 cm|broché
The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies, a Service de Presse (advance) copy
Spine very slightly sunned without gravity.
Signed autograph inscription from Emile G. Léonard to Alfred Fabre-Luce.
€70
Bernard-Henri LÉVY
Piero della Francesca
Editions de la Différence|Paris 1992|15.50 x 22 cm|reliure de l'éditeur
First edition.
Publisher's full black cloth binding, smooth spine, complete with illustrated dust jacket, black paper endpapers and pastedowns, bookplate pasted to one endpaper.
Handsome copy illustrated with reproductions of works by Piero della Francesca.
Dated and signed autograph inscription from Bernard-Henry Lévy to Alain Kerlorc'h.
€50
Louis de Rouvroy, Duc de SAINT-SIMON
Mémoires. Volumes I, II, III, IV, V, VI & VII
Gallimard • , Bibliothèque de La Pléiade|Paris 1955-1985|10.50 x 17.50 cm|7 volumes en reliures de l'éditeur sous étuis souples et cartonnés
Bibliothèque de La Pléiade edition printed on Bible paper.
Publisher's full blue grained sheep bindings, blue top edges, smooth spines decorated with gilt fillets.
Two small lacks to the cellophane at the head of the spine of the fifth volume, three tiny lacks to the cellophanes of the second and fourth volumes at the head of the spines, otherwise handsome set.
The set is complete with its cellophanes, its dust jackets (except for the second volume) and its slipcases.
Our copy is also complete with its 6 folding genealogical tables of the houses of Bouillon, Bourbon, Condé, Conti, Elbeuf, Guise, Soissons, Lorraine, Rohan, Le Tellier which are discussed in the "Mémoires" of the Duke de Saint-Simon.
€400
Pierre LESOURD, Claude PAILLAT
Dossier secret. L'Eglise de France, Tome I : De Clovis à la Révolution. - Tome II : De la Révolution à nos Jours
Les Presses de la Cité|Paris 1967-1968|14.50 x 22 cm|2 volumes reliés
First edition, one of 200 numbered copies on deluxe paper for each volume, the only deluxe copies.
Half brown shagreen bindings with corners, spine with five raised bands decorated with blind fillets, marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edges gilt retaining deckled edges.
Fine copy handsomely bound.
€150
Jules BERTAUT
Marie-Louise femme de Napoléon Ier (1791-1847)
Amiot-Dumont|Paris 1952|14.50 x 23 cm|relié
First edition, one of 15 numbered copies on alfa mousse paper, the only deluxe copies.
Half red shagreen binding with corners, lightened spine with five raised bands set with blind fillets, marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt retaining its deckled edges.
A handsomely bound copy.
€120
Adrien de MEEÜS
Histoire de Belgique
Plon|Paris 1928|12.50 x 19 cm|relié
First edition, one of 100 numbered copies on Holland paper, the only deluxe copies.
Half red shagreen binding with corners, spine with five raised bands set with blind fillets, marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns, covers and spine preserved, top edge gilt on deckled edges.
Spine and boards slightly and marginally lightened, otherwise a handsome copy attractively bound.
€70
Esther van LOO
Le vrai Don Juan Don Miguel de Manara
S.F.E.L.T.|Paris 1950|14.50 x 23 cm|relié
First edition, one of 52 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies.
Half red shagreen with corners, spine very slightly faded with five raised bands set with blind fillets, marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt, retaining deckled edges.
A handsome copy attractively bound.
€120
Gédéon TALLEMANT DES RÉAUX
Les historiettes
J. Techener|Paris 1862|11.60 x 18.40 cm|6 volumes reliés
Statement of third edition. Title pages in red and black.
Contemporary half red shagreen binding. Spine with raised bands. Gilt title and date. Top edge gilt. Uncut copy. Some rubbing. Scattered foxing.
Fine edition, highly regarded, revised against the original manuscript.
Handsome copy.
€400
Jacques HUMBERT-ZELLER
Elisabeth Ière. Reine d'Angleterre 1533-1603
Dominique Wapler|Paris 1953|14.50 x 23 cm|relié
First edition in French, one of 20 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies after 1 copy on vellum d'Arches specially printed for Queen Elizabeth II.
Half blue shagreen binding with corners, spine with five raised bands set with blind fillets, marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns, covers and spine preserved, top edge gilt retaining deckled edges.
Spine slightly faded, otherwise a handsome copy attractively bound.
€100
Erik ORSENNA
Portrait d'un Homme heureux. André Le Nôtre 1613-1700
Fayard|Paris 2000|13 x 20 cm|broché
The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Handsome copy.
Autograph inscription dated and signed by Erik Orsenna to René de Obaldia.
€70
Jacques CASANOVA
Mémoires - Complet en trois volumes
Gallimard • , Bibliothèque de La Pléiade|Paris 1958-1960|10.50 x 17.50 cm|3 volumes en reliures de l'éditeur sous étuis souples et cartonnés
Bibliothèque de La Pléiade edition printed on Bible paper.
Publisher's full grained blue sheep bindings, blue tops, smooth spines decorated with gilt fillets.
A small tear to the cellophane at the head of the spine of the first volume.
Handsome set complete with cellophane covers, dust jackets (except for the second volume) and slipcases.
€150
André MAUROIS
Adrienne ou la Vie de Mme de La Fayette
Hachette|Paris 1961|15.50 x 21.50 cm|relié
First edition, one of 100 numbered copies on Marais vellum, the only deluxe copies after 40 on Arches
Half burgundy shagreen binding with corners, spine with four raised bands set with cold fillets, marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt retaining deckled edges.
Spine and boards very slightly and marginally lightened without gravity.
Handsome copy beautifully bound.
€80
Maurice ANDRIEUX
Les Français à Rome
Arthème Fayard|Paris 1968|14 x 23 cm|relié
First edition, one of 70 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only deluxe copies.
Half red shagreen binding with corners, spine with five raised bands with blind fillets, marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt retaining deckled edges.
Handsome copy handsomely bound.
€150
Ludwig REINERS
Frédéric II
Amiot Dumont|Paris 1956|14 x 23 cm|relié
First edition in French, one of 10 numbered copies on Annonay laid paper, the only deluxe copies.
Half black shagreen binding with corners, spine with five raised bands set with black fillets, marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt retaining its deckled edges.
Handsome copy beautifully bound of this biography devoted to Frederick II of Prussia.
€150
Jules BERTAUT
La Vie aventureuse de Louis XIII
Lardanchet|Paris 1949|14 x 23 cm|broché
First edition, one of 65 numbered copies on vélin alfa paper reserved for the bibliophilic association "Amis des Beaux Livres", the only deluxe copies along with 300 other vélin alfa copies.
Fine full-margined copy.
€60