Renaissance & Modern Times

Edition printed on laid paper.
Half red morocco binding with corners, spine with five raised bands showing minor traces of rubbing, date gilt at foot of spine, gilt fillets on marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, upper corners slightly bumped, original wrappers preserved, top edge gilt.

Second edition. Rare counterfeit of the first edition of extraordinary rarity published in Nancy in 1717. This edition was also issued in Cologne by David Roger, who appears to be a fictitious publisher. Title pages in red and black, unlike the Cologne edition. It should be noted that the gaps in early editions of the Memoirs were never filled until 1836; they were caused partly by crossed-out passages and partly by leaves torn from the manuscript.
Contemporary full brown sheep bindings. Jansenist spines with raised bands. Red morocco title and volume labels. The spines are darker. Rubbing. A tiny wormhole at the foot of volume I, as well as on the upper joint at the head. Good copy.
Paul de Gondi wrote his memoirs at the request of his friends, during his exile, around the age of sixty (around 1675-1677), and composed the autobiography of a politician during a period of civil war, the Fronde. Not only a historical testimony of the first order, the work stands among the literary monuments of the 18th century memoirs and other autobiographies; through its alert, precise style, that of a man of action and intrigue with remarkable intelligence and political ambition always alert (always ready to ally with those who had betrayed him the day before). His memoirs would constitute revenge and his final resort of ambition.
Manuscript ownership inscription at the bottom of the title page: A. Germain, curé de Reilhac.

First edition in paperback format.
Autographed by Armel de Wismes to Pierre Dumayet.
Iconography.

First edition printed in 100 copies.
Lacking spine and replaced with an adhesive piece, boards worn, handsome interior condition.

First edition, one of 15 numbered copies on Holland paper, deluxe copy.
Full dark green morocco binding, faded spine with five raised bands set with gilt fillets and decorated with double compartments ornamented with gilt typographical motifs, gilt roulettes on headcaps, triple gilt fillet frame on boards enhanced with large gilt fleurons in corners, olive green watered silk endpapers and pastedowns, frame of sextuple gilt fillets and gilt fleurons in corners on pastedowns, gilt fillet on leading edges, all edges gilt, covers and spine preserved, elegant binding signed by Charles Lanoë.
Handsome copy pleasingly bound in full morocco.

First edition, rare, illustrated with 2 medals on the title page.
Full glazed blonde calf binding ca 1880 signed Pagnant, in 18th-century style. Spine with raised bands ornately decorated. Red morocco title label, black morocco date and place labels. Triple gilt fillets framing the boards. Rich interior frieze. Edges gilt. A slight scratch on the lower board. Very fine copy perfectly executed.
History and origins of the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg, in what is now northern Germany, and of its Dukes. The lands of Brunswick and Luneburg were elevated to duchy status in 1235, which was abolished in 1806. The Duchy of Brunswick then became part of the Kingdom of Hanover with the end of the Holy Roman Empire. Sagittarius's studies focus particularly on the origins of the Duchy, from 1210 to 1235.

First edition, one of 120 numbered copies on Bellegarde laid paper, the only deluxe copies.

Preface by Roland Manuel.

Light scuffs of no consequence to one joint and the boards, otherwise a handsome copy.

New edition revised by Barbeau de la Bruyère.
Contemporary full marbled sheep bindings. Spines with raised bands decorated. Red morocco title labels and green morocco volume labels. Head caps partly worn. Top joint of volume I cracked. Top joint of volume 2 cracked at head. Traces of dampstaining to outer margin of volume I.
The work met with some success and was reprinted numerous times until the 19th century. It contains a treatise on the sphere, universal geography (Europe, Africa, Asia, America) and ecclesiastical geography with the archbishoprics and bishoprics of the Catholic and schismatic churches.

New edition, the original seeming to have appeared the same year.
Contemporary full marbled brown sheep binding. Spine with raised bands decorated. Red morocco title label. Headcaps worn. Upper joint cracked at head. 2 corners bumped.
Educational treatise addressed to a young girl by letter, governing relationships with others.

First edition.
Iconography.
Small tears repaired at head of spine, black stains on back cover, handsome interior condition.

New edition, the best and most complete, established by Prosper Marchand (the first edition of 1709 contained only 5 volumes). Title pages in red and black printed on heavy paper. 9 title vignettes. 12 pages of catalogue at the end.
Contemporary full speckled calf bindings. Spines with raised bands ornately decorated. Havana morocco title and volume labels. Headcap of volume II worn away. Lacking at head of volume V. Headcaps of volumes VIII and IX worn away, same at head of volume IX. Upper joint split at tail of volume VIII. Corners worn on volumes VIII and IX, same on volume VII. Some corners bumped.
From his first military victories, the Comte d'Estrades was an important figure in history during the reigns of Louis XIII and Louis XIV, ambassador and diplomat in England, Holland, Germany, he was one of the plenipotentiaries in the preparation of the peace of Nijmegen. Marshal of France, governor of Dunkirk (after having negotiated for its repurchase), perpetual Mayor of Bordeaux and viceroy of New France, he accumulated honors and offices. The Comte had amassed a great number of documents on his multiple activities. We know today that some of these documents and certain letters were falsified by the Comte d'Estrades himself to glorify his memory.
The correspondence and documents are classified by years, from 1637 to 1677. The whole constitutes an incredible mass of letters and memoirs on European affairs.
Bookplate: Ex bibliotheca Jos. Henr. Chave, Parochi.

First edition, one of 206 numbered copies on Montfourat vellum reserved for Lardanchet selections, the only deluxe copies after 16 pur fil.
Spine lightly sunned, handsome interior condition.

First edition, one of 200 numbered copies on bambou paper, the only large paper copies.
Endpapers slightly faded, otherwise a good copy.

New edition, illustrated with 2 double maps and 156 maps engraved recto-verso, all heightened in colors. One frontispiece and one engraved title.
Contemporary publisher's binding in full red morocco. Smooth spine decorated. Brown morocco title label. Gilt edges. One restoration at foot and one at corner. Gilding sometimes faded. Good copy.

First edition.
Preface by M. Moreau.
Spine and covers marginally and slightly sunned, ex-dono in biro on the first free endpaper.

First edition and first issue of the full-page color illustrations by Albert Robida.
Publisher's full grey percaline binding, smooth spine, front cover illustrated with a polychrome composition by Albert Robida, blue-grey paper endpapers and pastedowns, all edges gilt.
Headcaps lightly rubbed as often, handsome copy.

New edition, illustrated with 2 portraits at the frontispiece of volume I.
Full brown granite sheep bindings. Spine with raised bands, decorated. Red morocco title and volume labels. 4 corners slightly bumped. Rubbing. A brown stain at the foot of the upper board of volume I. Handsome set.
Edition based on all previous critical editions, including the very famous one by abbé de l'ecluse (1745), and those containing observations and remarks by abbé de Montempuis who accused L'ecluse of excessive partiality towards the Jesuits.
Volume 5 contains various pieces and observations intended to provide greater objectivity in reading the memoirs. A large general table occupies almost the entirety of the last volume.

First edition, illustrated with 50 magnificent portraits engraved with burin by Ceroni in medallions. Each portrait is accompanied by a biographical notice of approximately 12 pages, written by different authors. Deluxe publication.
Full red morocco bindings of the period signed Amand. Raised bands spine finely and richly decorated with roses and interlacing. Gilt titles and volume labels. Boards decorated in the Du Seuil style with central frame and triple gilt fillet border, corner ornaments in the corners. Wide interior frieze. Gilt edges. Light rubbing on some bands, at headcaps. Upper joint of volume I cracked at head and tail. Some traces of rubbing on the upper board of volume II. Very fresh copy, with some occasional worming and leaves slightly more yellowed.
Splendid binding perfectly executed in morocco.
He who was nicknamed "the Raphael of painting on enamel" created in the 17th century a series of portraits of great figures of the time of Louis XIV (Richelieu, Mme de Montbazon, Turenne, La Rochefoucauld, Ninon de l'Enclos, Colbert, Mme de Sevigne, M le Comte de Grignan, Mme Scarron, la Duchesse de Portsmouth), with incomparable perfection. These portraits were exhibited at the Imperial Museum of the Louvre and gave birth to this work.
19th-century armorial bookplate of Bordes de Fortage

Collection of 4 memoirs and two documents from the legal case that opposed Beaumarchais to Judge Goezman.
Details:
Memoire à consulter, pour Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais. Imprimerie de Valleyre. 1773. Paris.
Supplément au mémoire à consulter. Imprimerie de Quillau. 1773. Paris.
Addition au supplément du mémoire à consulter. Imprimerie de Clousier. Paris.
Requête d'attenuation pour le Sr Caron de Beaumarchais. Imprimerie de Knapen. 1773. Paris.
Quatrième mémoire à consulter. Imprimerie de Clousier. 1774. Paris.
Arrest de la cour du Parlement du 26 février 1774. Chez P.G. Simon. 1774. Paris.
Early 20th-century half vellum binding. Smooth spine with handwritten title. Marbled paper boards. Some manuscript notes in margins of certain leaves. Foxing and marginal dampstaining to right corner of the Addition au supplément... Overall paper more or less yellowed.
From 1773 to 1774, Beaumarchais published 4 memoirs in which he dramatized his legal adventure (one can see that he had chosen to represent himself). These 4 memoirs, which blend dialogues and interrogations, entertained all of Paris, even Madame Du Barry, and were performed everywhere in cafés and on the boulevards, as they constitute a formidable comedy in which lies are ultimately revealed. Beaumarchais was indeed acquitted in the case that opposed him to Judge Goezman; the latter was the reporting judge in his trial regarding the Paris-Duverney inheritance which ruined and dishonored the author. Beaumarchais accused Goezman of corruption and the judge in turn accused Beaumarchais of defamation and attempted corruption.
Judge Goezman constitutes above all a symbol of the corruption of the new Parliament erected by Louis XV, and of the arbitrariness of justice.

Second edition, with some parts of the text in first edition as revised and corrected.
Half red calf bindings, smooth spines slightly faded decorated with gilt stippling and fillets, gilt initials at foot, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, contemporary bindings signed by Bruillon.
Handsome copy.

New edition
Half caramel calf binding, spine with five raised bands set with gilt dots decorated with double gilt fillets, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, contemporary binding.
Handsome copy.

New edition.
Half red calf bindings, smooth spines slightly faded, decorated with gilt romantic arabesques and a stamp in blind, gilt fillets at head and foot of spines, black calf title labels, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges, contemporary romantic bindings.
Provenance: from the library of J.B. Baillière with his labels pasted on the pastedowns.
Handsome copy in charming contemporary romantic bindings.

First edition.
Spine cracked and repaired, joints cracked then glued to head and to foot, small marginal tears to covers, occasional foxing.

First edition.
Spine and covers faded.
Rare softcover, as issued.

First edition, one of 8 copies numbered on salmon paper and justified by the author.
Full hazel morocco binding, spine with five raised bands, one joint with a small tear at head, small brown stains on covers, gilt roulettes on headcaps, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, gilt dentelle border on pastedowns, gilt fillet on leading edges, top edge gilt, bookplate and library shelf label pasted on one pastedown, elegant unsigned binding.
Our copy is exceptionally expanded with 18 engraved portraits added by a previous bibliophile and representing notably Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Bonaparte, Madame Récamier, Beaumarchais, Molière, Talleyrand...
Handsome and unique copy in an elegant full morocco binding.

Second edition.
Full red shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands decorated with double black compartments, gilt roulettes on the headcaps, frame of two blind fillets on the boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, pastedowns magnificently ornamented with a wide gilt dentelle and a large central gilt typographical fleuron, gilt fillet on the leading edges, all edges gilt, one lower corner slightly bumped, superb unsigned contemporary binding.
As frontispiece, an engraved portrait of Madame de Longueville.
Handsome copy in fine condition.

First edition, a Service de Presse (advance) copy.
Autograph inscription from Roger Pruvost to Jean-Paul Sartre.
This "active teaching" experiment produced an astonishing novel written by 6 young students (aged 12 to 15) from the small school of Vieulaine under the guidance of their teacher.

First edition, a service de presse (advance) copy.
Fine autograph inscription signed by Jean Auzanet to Henri Béraud.
Small lacks at head of spine and to second cover.
Provenance: from Henri Béraud's library on the Île de Ré.

New edition augmented with extracts from the letters of Horace Walpole.
Half green sheep bindings, smooth spines faded and decorated with gilt fillets, marbled paper boards, one corner slightly bumped.
Work illustrated with a portrait of the Marquise du Deffand as frontispiece to the first volume.
Some foxing.

First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on Holland paper, the only deluxe copies.
Half navy blue morocco binding, spine with five raised bands decorated with the gilt monogram of the great bibliophile Roger de Cormenin repeated five times, gilt date at foot, one joint cracked and fragile, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, top edge gilt on deckled edges, elegant later unsigned binding.
Provenance: from the library of Roger de Cormenin, son of Louis de Cormenin who was the confidant and secretary of Théophile Gautier and also the intimate friend of Gustave Flaubert.
Handsome copy pleasantly bound but fragile at one joint.

Second edition.
Half red calf binding, smooth spine lightly faded decorated with gilt fillets and blind fleurons, gilt friezes at head and foot, olive green morocco title and volume labels, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges, contemporary Romantic binding.
Some foxing.
A handsome copy in a charming contemporary Romantic binding.

Third revised and expanded edition.
Half red calf binding, smooth spine lightly faded decorated with gilt fillets and blind fleurons, gilt friezes at head and foot, olive green morocco title and volume labels, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges, contemporary Romantic binding.
Some foxing.
A handsome copy in a charming contemporary Romantic binding.

Fourth edition.
Half red calf binding, smooth spine lightly faded decorated with gilt fillets and blind tooled fleurons, gilt friezes at head and foot, olive green morocco title and volume labels, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges, contemporary Romantic binding.
Some foxing.
Copy handsomely bound in a charming contemporary Romantic binding.

New edition printed after the first edition by A. Schaeffer.
Half navy blue shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands decorated with double black fillets, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges.
Rare foxing, trace of removed bookplate at head of one pastedown.
Handsome copy attractively bound.

First edition.
Half black shagreen binding, smooth spine decorated with triple gilt fillets and gilt fleurons, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, speckled edges, contemporary binding.
Some minor foxing of no consequence.

New illustrated edition, with frontispiece in the first volume of a portrait of Madame de Sévigné engraved by Dequevauviller.
Half raspberry calf bindings, spines with four raised bands set with gilt garlands decorated with fleurons and typographical motifs stamped in blind, black calf title and volume labels, raspberry cardboard boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges, two corners slightly bumped, elegant contemporary romantic bindings.
Some minor foxing.
Handsome copy, complete in 12 volumes, in charming and elegant contemporary romantic and decorative binding.

First edition in French.
Half black sheep bindings, smooth spines decorated with black and gilt fillets as well as black fleurons, spines with minor scuffs without consequence, black calf title and volume labels, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, speckled edges, two corners slightly bumped, a small tear at head on one leading edge of the second volume, contemporary bindings.
Frontispiece to the first volume with a lithographed portrait by Marlet of Salvator Rosa.
Some foxing.

New edition, the most complete version of this work originally published in 1722. This edition was expanded by Patouillet. One frontispiece.
Contemporary full blonde sheep binding. Smooth spine decorated. Red morocco title and volume labels. A lack at the foot of volume I. Headcap of volume IV worn. Overall rubbed. All 4 volumes bear a brown wax stain at the foot. Corners slightly bumped.
The lack of moderation by Dominique de Colonia in his compilation of the dictionary caused his book to be placed on the Index as early as 1749, the same happened with the additions by Louis Patouillet, applying the thesis of Jansenism to Catholic authors and even to Madame de Sévigné (an ample explanation of the pernicious influence of the Letters is given). Each dictionary entry is followed by a critique of the work and a summary. An index allows one to find all authors.
Red stamp on the half-titles: Bib. Dom. Christi Regis

first edition.
Bound in half red morocco, smooth back with a gold monogram Length, rubbed a bit, marbled paper plates, guards and contreplats of handmade paper, gilded head.
Tribute autograph signed by the author.
Rare.
Rare.

First edition, one of 37 numbered copies on pur fil paper, the tirage de tête.
Spine very slightly sunned, not serious.

New edition preceded by an introduction by François Barrère.
Half caramel calf binding, spine with five raised bands set with black fillets decorated with double gilt fillets, dark green morocco title label, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, marbled top edge, contemporary binding.
Handsome copy attractively bound.

first edition of the French translation of Brunet.
Our copy contains a letter from the author to the editor.
Then half green morocco binding, back with five nerves decorated uniformly past net cold and golden, gilded boxes, double net gilded on the boards handmade paper, gilded head on witnesses.

New edition of the French translation accompanied by an appendix containing extracts from the Journal of Samuel Pepys and that of John Evelyn on the facts and characters of the Memoirs of Grammont.
Half red calf binding with corners, spine lightened with four raised bands set with gilt garlands decorated with gilt double compartments adorned with gilt typographical motifs, dark green morocco title label, frame of double gilt fillets on marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, top edge gilt.
Some light foxing.

First edition.
Half-bronze calf bindings, spines with four raised bands set with gilt borders decorated with cold-stamped typographical motifs as well as gilt garlands, traces of rubbing to joints, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, speckled edges, elegant contemporary Romantic bindings.
Some light foxing of no consequence.

First edition.
Bindings in half red Russia morocco, spines with four raised bands set with gilt garlands decorated with triple gilt compartments, gilt fillet on marbled paper covers, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, yellow and speckled edges, elegant near-contemporary bindings signed by Capé.
Engraved bookplates mounted on pastedowns.
Some minor foxing of no consequence.

First edition.
Two small lacks to head and foot of spine, slightly cracked to head.
A rare copy.

Edition published from the original manuscript in the Mazarine Library, one of 320 numbered copies on Holland paper, the only printing with 30 on Whatman.
Half blue morocco binding, faded spine with five raised bands decorated with the gilt monogram of the great bibliophile Roger de Cormenin repeated five times, one joint slightly cracked at head, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, top edge gilt, near-contemporary binding.
Text preceded by a study on the customs and manners of Parisians in the 16th century by Alfred Franklin.
Work illustrated with a double frontispiece plate.
Provenance: from the library of Roger de Cormenin, son of Louis de Cormenin who was the confidant and secretary of Théophile Gautier and also the intimate friend of Gustave Flaubert.
Handsome copy elegantly bound.

New edition printed in 60 numbered copies, ours one of 2 numbered copies on green paper, deluxe copies after 1 on Mouton paper.
Half dark green morocco binding, spine faded with four raised bands set with double gilt fillets decorated with double gilt compartments, minor rubbing to headcaps, boards, endpapers and pastedowns of marbled paper, two corners slightly bumped, contemporary binding.
A handsome and rare copy.

New edition printed on laid paper and expanded with an introduction and notes by Charles Asselineau.
Full midnight blue morocco binding, spine with five raised bands set with gilt dots decorated with double compartments richly ornamented with typographical corner motifs and a gilt fleur-de-lys at their centers, gilt friezes at head and foot, gilt rolls on headcaps, triple gilt fillet frames on boards ornamented at corners with gilt fleur-de-lys, gilt rolls on pastedowns, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, double gilt fillets on leading edges, original wrappers preserved, all edges gilt, magnificent English binding signed by Hardy.
Work illustrated with a portrait of madame de Caylus as frontispiece as well as 4 figures engraved on steel by Leman.
Our copy is complete with the second state of the 5 illustrations.
Provenance: from the library of the comte de Cromer with his fine armorial bookplate engraved by J.F. Badeley and mounted on a pastedown.
Fine copy superbly bound in an English full morocco binding.

First edition, one of 225 numbered copies on laid paper, the only issue with 3 vellum copies, 6 China paper copies, and 20 chamois paper copies.
Half navy morocco binding with corners, spine with five raised bands set with gilt dots decorated with gilt double compartments richly ornamented with gilt typographical motifs, a very slight scratch at foot of spine, gilt fillet frame on marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, top edge gilt, handsome engraved armorial bookplate pasted on pastedown, elegant contemporary binding signed by Capé.
Provenance: from the Le Proux library with its engraved bookplate.
Handsome copy virtually free from foxing and perfectly established.

First edition, illustrated with a medallion portrait frontispiece and 4 folding battle plans.
Contemporary full marbled tobacco-colored sheep bindings. Smooth spine decorated in grotesque style with chevrons. Fawn morocco title-label and volume labels. Frame border on boards. One lack to upper joint at tail. One hole on spine of volume 3 and on that of volume 1. Rubbing to headcaps. Corners slightly bumped. One gathering sprung in volume 1, another in volume 3. Good copy, quite decorative.
An edition of Villars' Memoirs by Abbé de Montgon was published in 1739, but it is very incomplete, based only on a copy of a single manuscript and on gazette extracts. Marshal de Castries and Marquis de Vogué called upon Anquetil to restore authentic and reliable memoirs and render justice to one of Louis XIV's greatest generals; they lent him for this purpose 142 notebooks of memoirs of 32p. folio, and 14 volumes of letters. Anquetil therefore undertook a vast work of compilation and made the Duke speak in the first person, using the letters as aid. All the documents were subsequently deposited in the Sainte Geneviève library.
Blue stamp "Bibliothèque Christian Kieher" on endpapers.

New edition by André Dacier, after the original Parisian edition of 1681, illustrated with a handsome frontispiece bearing the Dauphin's arms, and a title vignette with the arms of the same; a title headpiece with the dauphin's arms repeated. Title page in red and black.
Contemporary limp vellum binding. Smooth spine with title in black ink. Boards blind-stamped with multiple frames and angular fleur-de-lis tools. Spine soiled with a lack at foot. Good copy, rather fresh, printed on good paper.
Festus was a grammarian of the second century A.D. who compiled an abridgment of the encyclopedic dictionary of his contemporary Verrius (lost work) of which only fragments survive (letters M-V) but which provides useful and precious information about his era. His manuscript was edited in the 15th century then rediscovered during the Renaissance, Scaliger produced a critical edition in 1584 which Dacier follows. The celebrated French philologist provides an abundantly annotated edition with extensive footnotes.
This edition belongs to the collection of works produced by Dacier "in usum Delphini", for the use of the Dauphin, whom Dacier served.

Second edition statement, with some parts in first edition, published the same year as the first by the same publisher.
Contemporary full speckled blonde calf binding. Smooth spine decorated. Beige morocco title-label and volume label. Minor lack to the title-label of volume I. Surface abrasion along volume I. A brown stain on the lower cover of volume I, and one on the upper cover of volume II. Handsome copy, fresh.
The author's first work of importance, based on articles previously published in L'Encyclopédie on commerce that Diderot had commissioned from him. The work gives a definition of commerce and all its parts (exchange, agriculture, colonies, industries...) with great concern for didacticism and endowed with perfect clarity. The author places himself under the banner of liberalism, but an egalitarian liberalism, and while he was a precursor of the physiocrats, he would distance himself from Quesnay's doctrines. He is the first to emphasize the fundamental connection between industry and agriculture and advocate a fiscal system taxing consumption. Even if his vision of the state remains mercantile, and relatively classical, he brings many new ideas and his writings are filled with contemporary economic facts of primary importance.

First edition illustrated with 40 original lithographs including 12 hors-texte in colors by Charles Fouqueray, one of 15 numbered copies on Japon impérial, deluxe issue after 5 vieux Japon.
Our copy is complete, as stipulated in the justification of the issue for copies on Japon impérial, with a progressive suite of the tints and a complete suite in colors for the 12 hors-texte and a suite in black for the 28 in-text lithographs.
Finally our copy is enhanced with a progressive suite of the tints and a color suite of a rejected plate.
Handsome copy.

First edition for which there was no mention of large paper copies.
Autograph inscription from Marie Bonaparte to Monsieur Gouse.
Spine and covers slightly and marginally faded as usual.

First edition, one of 55 numbered copies on alfa paper, the only large paper copies.
A good copy.

First edition, printed by the Elsevier press. 4 title pages with the sphere, two of which for L'Ambassade en Suisse.
Contemporary full brown speckled sheep binding. Spine with raised bands, decorated. Brown morocco title and volume labels, decorated with roll tools. A slight lack to the joint at the head of each volume. Good copy.
Important diplomatic relations by one who was a great lord and great military man concerning the Valtellina affair with Spain and Switzerland, and that of the projected marriage of the king's sister and the Prince of Wales in England. A collection of articles and letters that allow one to realistically follow the progress of diplomatic missions (a historical introduction each time allows one to grasp the stakes of each embassy): these missions which greatly interested France prove Bassompierre's position with Louis XIII. Upon his return and after having taken part in the siege of La Rochelle, he was imprisoned in the Bastille for 12 years for intrigues by Richelieu. It is traditionally accepted that, like his Mémoires, these Ambassades were also written in prison, but it is difficult to see how, from such a place, Bassompierre could have realized such a work which required numerous researches and access to archives, especially as the work appears greatly to be that of a historian; it bears the mark in its writing and structure; but it could have been initiated, realized in collaboration to complete the work of the memoirs.

First illustrated edition, with some parts in first edition as it was revised and expanded with unpublished letters and documents.
Half morocco binding with red corners, spine with five raised bands set with gilt dots decorated with double gilt compartments enhanced with gilt decorative motifs, double gilt fillets framing the marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, light scuffs to corners, top edge gilt, binding signed by the publisher.
Work illustrated with 55 copperplate reproductions by Dujardin and 2 color plates by Quinsac.
A handsome copy elegantly bound.

First edition.
Covers and spine slightly and marginally faded, not serious.

First edition.
Ouvrage illustrated with 15 planches hors texte.

A fairly rare new edition, following the original published in 1603 by Dyonisius Melander and considerably expanded by his son Otto Melander. Printer's device on title page.

Half black shagreen binding ca 1850. Spine with raised bands decorated with rolls on the bands and fillets. Date at foot. Title page yellowed.

Collection of anecdotes and amusing stories with 1749 entries; one will encounter many famous figures. This type of collection, originally derived from serious compilations of maxims and sentences from the Ancients, was very popular at the end of the 16th and beginning of the 17th century, some are frankly ribald and bawdy, others more serious and historical like that of Melander, but always oriented toward the amusement and entertainment of the reader.

Bookseller's label: Joseph Boudot Lamothe. 84, rue Bonaparte. 75006 Paris.

First edition, illustrated with 72 engravings (etchings), re-engraved after the originals. All plates, printed before lettering, have been annotated in pencil (author and title).
Publisher's binding. Special plate by Souze. Binding by Charles Magnier. Half red shagreen richly decorated; red percale boards stamped with a large decorative gilt plate on black ground. All edges gilt. White moiré endpapers. Upper joint slightly cracked at head. Some foxing on the first leaves and on the index.
Handsome copy

Sixth edition stated, after the first published in 1732. Edition revised and expanded by the author's son.
Contemporary full marbled brown sheep binding. Decorated spine with raised bands; headcaps partly worn. 3 corners bumped. Rubbing.
Treatise on criminal jurisprudence under Louis XIV. The First Part, On the nature of Crimes, & Punishments. The Second, On the Jurisdiction of Judges, over Offenses committed, both by Laypeople, and by Ecclesiastics, Recusations, challenges, &c. The Third, On the Manner of Conducting Trials, with the Style or Model of Procedures. The Fourth, Contains the Edicts, Declarations, Decrees, & Regulations intervened since the Ordinance.

First edition published under the pseudonym of bibliophile Jacob.
Black paper boards, smooth spine, tan sheep title-label with two small angular lacks, one joint slightly cracked then reglued at head, red edges, modest contemporary binding.
Handsome interior condition.

First edition of the author's third work, printed by Honoré de Balzac.
Black paper boards, smooth spine, tan sheep title-label with two small angular lacks, one joint slightly cracked then reglued at head, red edges, modest contemporary binding.
Handsome interior condition.

Tenth edition but first in parts, as reviewed and expanded.
Contemporary half navy blue morocco over marbled paper boards by E. Babouot, spine in six compartments with gilt dots and double gilt compartments richly decorated with gilt motifs, gilt fillet frame to covers, some corners slightly bumped, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, ex libris of Victor Hugo pasted to versos of upper covers.
Handsome autograph inscription signed by Arsène Houssaye to Victor Hugo, "au maître des maîtres / à mon cher Victor Hugo / Arsène Houssaye [To the master of masters / my dear Victor Hugo / Arsène Houssaye]”, on a leaf bound in at start of first volume.
The page with the inscription has a small angular lack, a few spots mostly affecting the endpapers.

First edition. According to the preface, it was intended to complement L'Encyclopédie méthodique published by Panckoucke.
Contemporary full brown sheep binding. Raised band spine decorated with fillets. Red morocco title-label. Small lacks to head and tail. Rubbing. Traces of old restorations to corners and tail. First three leaves (including endpaper) creased.
The Anas, which were particularly popular in the 17th century, are collections of various thoughts, anecdotes and witticisms, arranged in the greatest disorder and intended for the public as intellectual entertainment. The originality of this work lies in having assembled them in dictionary form, though without citing the authors. The whole forms a monumental ana which can thus be browsed from beginning to end, with pleasure, surprise and instruction: it should be noted that history and historical figures are given pride of place.

First edition.
Contemporary full blonde calf binding. Spine with five raised bands decorated with gilt compartments and fleurons, with blonde and citron morocco title and volume labels. All edges speckled red. Headcap of second volume worn. Spines of third and fifth volumes showing worm damage. Worming not affecting text in second, third and final volumes. The house of Montmorency was one of the most prestigious families of the French nobility and provided France with several constables, the most illustrious being the Renaissance prince: Anne de Montmorency. The five volumes are divided as follows: The first volume is devoted to a genealogy and chronology of the Montmorency from 960 until 1531, shortly before Anne became Constable, that is to say the highest function after the king. The second volume contains the life of Anne and that of François, marshal of France, from 1494 until 1579. The third volume is occupied by several biographies: Henri, Constable of France; Charles Duke of Amville, grand Admiral of France; & that of Henri II, Duke of Montmorenci, from 1547 until 1632. The fourth and fifth volumes contain the life of François-Henri de Montmorenci, Marshal Duke of Luxembourg, from 1628 until 1695. It is in the first volume that one will find the general history of the Montmorency, notably on the Middle Ages where the Montmorency worked with brilliance, but Desormeaux's work does not claim to be exhaustive, having made choices, notably biographical ones; however the work, of great quality, is undoubtedly the best that has been devoted to this illustrious family which merges so well with that of France; thus this anecdote is told that when in 1764 the duchess of Montmorency presented Désormeaux's work to Louis XV, asking: "Does His Majesty know the history of the house of Montmorency?" the King replied: "Madame, I know the history of France."

First edition, rare, decorated with a frontispiece by Picart as well as 46 folding plates depicting fortification diagrams. Title page in red and black.
Contemporary full brown calf binding. Spine with five raised bands decorated with gilt compartments and fleurons, as well as a red morocco title label. Headcaps absent, headband of the top headcap half detached. A small lack at the foot joint level. Corners bumped. Surface wear.
Practical treatise on fortification with methods of fortifying in France, Spain, Italy and Holland. The work is composed of a lexicon, practical maxims on measurements and the manner of fortifying and defending. One will note with interest in the different sections, choice of terrain, etc., the marked emphasis on geometry; this indeed seems to be the most original characteristic of this fortification treatise. One will therefore find in this work little discourse, but concrete elements of measurements and use of geometry to differentiate the methods of fortifying.

Rare first edition.
Contemporary full brown sheep binding. Spine with five raised bands richly decorated and bearing a red morocco title label. Lacks at head and foot clumsily restored, same for corners. Scuffing and cuts to front cover. Some very minor dampstains.
A banner bearing Charles Osmont's address has been pasted over the publisher's address; on the recto of the page one can make out in reverse "Chez Guillaume Cavelier 1700" (we do not know the reason for this substitution, or perhaps Charles Osmont shared this edition and sold it himself). A fresh copy.

Second edition.
Half almond cloth binding, smooth spine faded, olive shagreen title label, marbled paper boards, original wrappers preserved, modern binding.
Copy slightly trimmed, some foxing.

First edition in French by Francis de Miomandre.
Very slight stains, not serious, to foot of covers.

First edition.
Signed autograph inscription from the author.
Preface by Pierre Chaunu.
A small ballpoint pen mark at the head of the front cover, handsome copy.

New edition.
Contemporary full speckled blonde sheep bindings. Smooth spines decorated with blonde and black morocco title and volume labels, with gilt compartments and fleurons. All edges red. Head joint cracked on the second volume. Headcaps rubbed. Surface wear. One half-title leaf probably lacking. A small wormhole affecting the first leaves of the second volume. A work of pedagogy and morality consisting in the education of young girls.

New edition.
Publisher's dark green paper boards sapin.
A very good copy.

New edition, reprint of the first edition in ten books published in 1621; illustrated with a portrait by Léonard Gautier and a large vignette with royal arms. Title page in red and black. Printed on fine paper.
Contemporary half calf binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Red morocco title label. Head worn. Upper joint cracked at head. Rubbing to boards. Corners slightly bumped. An encyclopedic and highly celebrated work, Les recherches de la France stands out among all works of this kind for its radical novelty. Pasquier can be considered the father of modern history, History emerging then as a discipline and departing from legend and literature. Chapter VII, quite different from the others since those focused on research into the Antiquity of France, concerns itself with the formation of the French language; one part is devoted to the Pléiade, of which Pasquier was a member. Chapter VI already dealt with the origin of French poetry. "A unique monument raised to antiquities, the Recherches comprise, through their variety and boldness, everything that a scholar of the 16th century could aspire to." Robert Barroux (archivist of Paris and historian).

Fifth edition statement. Edition illustrated with 19 chromolithographs and 400 wood engravings.
Publisher's binding in imitation of great Grolier-style bindings. Half dark green shagreen with shagreen-textured cloth boards. Corners slightly bumped. Very occasional light foxing.
The interest of this work manifests itself both through its erudition and its accessibility and readability (historical anecdotes...). We owe it to Paul Jacob, who was a great bibliophile, a writer and scholar, and the curator of the Arsenal library. If the entire series has become a great classic in the field, it is because it successfully combines the work of publisher, printer, bookbinder, historian, illustrators, and documentation, and few books have ultimately achieved this amalgamation that we owe to Firmin-Didot, at a time when books had become quite mediocre.

Third edition, largely original as it is corrected and considerably expanded.
Bradel binding in full boards covered with marbled paper, smooth spines slightly browned, small harmless paper lacks at foot of spines, two corners slightly bumped, bookplates pasted to verso of front boards.
Some light foxing, final leaves marginally stained with corner lacks not affecting text on last page.

New edition, conforming to the first edition published in 1763, one of 10 numbered copies on Arches paper, the only deluxe copies.
Bradel binding in full paper, smooth spine, hazelnut shagreen title-label with minor marginal scratches, original wrappers preserved, contemporary binding.
Work illustrated with a frontispiece portrait of the author.
Introduction and bibliography by Radeville and Deschamps.

First edition, magnificently illustrated with 13 chromolithographs and 400 wood engravings in-text. Publisher's binding in its most luxurious version by Lenègre in half red shagreen richly decorated with a Souze plate, a plate also found on the red shagreen-textured percaline boards; binding evoking the rich Renaissance bindings of Grolier type. Gilt edges. Minor rubbing at foot. Very handsome copy, with some scattered foxing in the margins. The interest of the work manifests itself both through its erudition and its accessibility and readability (historical anecdotes...). We owe it to Paul Jacob, who was a great bibliophile, writer and scholar, and keeper of the Arsenal library. If the entire series has become a great classic in the field, it is because it successfully combines the work of publisher, printer, bookbinder, historian, illustrators, and documentation, and few books have ultimately achieved this amalgamation that we owe to Firmin-Didot, at a time when books had become quite mediocre. One will note the presence in the sciences of the study of alchemy and occult sciences, and a chapter on heraldry.

Rare first edition published in Avignon.
Contemporary full marbled havana sheep binding. Smooth spines decorated with gilt compartments and floral motifs, red morocco title and volume labels. All edges red.
Sheep somewhat faded in places. A small hole to each spine of volumes II and III. Note: The half-title page of the first volume has been placed in the third, the publisher having covered the mention of "volume one" with a label in the same typography indicating "volume three".

First edition, illustrated with a handsome frontispiece title by Sevin, engraved by S. Gautrel, a title headpiece by Pollain engraved by Le Pautre, 7 decorative initials and 6 large and handsome tailpieces, as well as 6 historiated headpieces at chapter openings by Pollain. Printer's device on title page. A rather carefully produced edition, finely ornamented and illustrated, with wide margins.
Contemporary full brown sheep binding. Raised band spine decorated. Red morocco title label. Worn headcaps. Upper joint cracked. 2 corners slightly bumped.
This history of Calvinism presented as a major heresy generated numerous complaints among Protestants; it takes the form of a chronicle, from the year 1520 to the Edict of Nantes in 1598. In the foreword, the author recalls that he has just been expelled by the Pope from the Jesuit order to which he belonged; indeed, his virulent defense of Louis XIV, which he reiterates in this work, placed him in direct opposition to the Pope. The work also presents the history of the League and events in the history of Protestantism in France.

First edition, illustrated with a frontispiece by Bernard Picart, engraved by Buisson. Title page in red and black.
Full red morocco binding from the late 19th century. Spine decorated with 5 small fleurons. Gilt title. Interior roll. Top edge gilt. Very fine condition.
As announced in the preface, Madame de La Fayette wrote memoirs from her youth, but the manuscripts were lost, and only these few extracts remain. These historical memoirs, quite classical in execution, deal with the internal and external affairs of the kingdom of France; the style is lively, incisive, mixing more intimate chronicles and great affairs of the kingdom.

First edition. Extract from the Revue des Deux Mondes. Loose leaves under chemise.

New edition decorated with illustrations by Rouargue. Half red shagreen binding, spine with four raised bands decorated with richly ornamented gilt double compartments, gilt dots at head and tail, minor rubbing to headcaps and joints, blind-ruled frames on red paper boards, cream watered silk endpapers and pastedowns, all edges gilt. Occasional foxing.

New edition, after the original published in 1699. The second part is announced by a half-title.
Contemporary speckled brown calf binding. Richly decorated spine with raised bands. Red morocco title label. Various rubbing. Good copy.
Renusson devoted several works to family law including this treatise on dower rights, which concerns the property that a husband will leave to his wife in case of death. We distinguish customary law, thus fixed by custom, and contractual law, that is to say fixed by contract. Dower is a fundamental element of marriage law under the Ancien Régime.

Edition produced by Charles Rollin under the direction of Jacques Estienne, with notes and commentary by Charles Rollin.
Contemporary full brown sheep binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Red morocco title-label. Headcaps slightly worn. Rubbing. 6 corners bumped. Pale yellow dampstain in margin of certain leaves in volume 2, extending into the text. Rather good copies, fresh.
The Institutio Oratoria is Quintilian's fundamental work. It goes beyond the framework of a rhetoric manual and has durably influenced all questioning strategies (judicial procedure, investigations...); its influence is still perceptible today, it was decisive for the Renaissance which devoted a veritable cult to it. Quintilian was himself the son of a lawyer and orator.