David Mason Books eList Special: French Language.
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1. Lettres Et Epitres Amoureuses D'Heloise Et D'Abeilard. Londres: no publisher, 1780. In two volumes. Nouvelle edition (so
stated). 12mo., contemporary paper wrappers, 234; 228pp. Bookplate,
wear to extremities o/w very good.
$275
2. ANON. Dictionnaire Lyrique D’Amour. Compose Des meilleures
Chansons et Romaces sur les Plaisirs, Peines, Faiblesses, Malices,
Regrets, Ruses, etc... Recuelli Et Publie Par N.L.P. (pseud). Paris: Chez Jh. Chaumerot,..., 1809. First edition. 8vo., later
19th century rust cloth, 218pp. Some minor rubbing to the spine ends
o/w fine. Gay-Lemonnyer p. 914.
$350
3. BARINE, Arvede. Louis XIV et La Grande Mademoiselle (1652-1693).
Paris: Librairie Hachette et Cie., 1912. Fourth edition. 8vo.,
cont. dark green morocco spine, cloth, small gilt dec. on spine,
392pp. Paper browned o/w fine.
$150
4. BASCHET, Armand. Les Comediens Italiens a la Cour de France sous
Charles IX, Henri III, Henri IV et Louis XIII. Paris: E. Plon et Cie, 1882. 8vo., cont. calf spine, marble
boards, raised bands, gilt compartments, leather spine label, xv,
367pp. Outer hinges a bit rubbed but still a very nice copy.
History of Italian comedies in France from the earliest recorded
appearance in the 1500's through the 1600's.
$225
5. BERANGER. Oeuvres Completes de Beranger. Bruxelles: Laurent Freres, 1830. 8vo., cont. red half morocco,
marble boards, raised bands, gilt compartments, 187pp. double columns.
Bookplate o/w fine.
$250
6. BERGIER, (Nicolas-Sylvestre). Le Deisme Refute Par Lui-Meme: Ou
Examen, en forme de Lettres, des principes d’incredulite repandus dans
les divers Ouvrages de M. Rousseau... Quartieme Edition, Revue et
Corrigee. A Paris: Chez Hublot..., 1764. Two parts bound in one volume.
Fourth edition. Tall 12mo., full contemporary calf, raised bands, gilt
compartments, (6), 280; (4),256, (2), 8pp. ads. The first part is
lacking the half-title, library stamp on the titlepage of part one (no
other markings), some wear to the upper corner of the rear board but
certainly very good.
Nicolas-Sylvestre Bergier [1715-1790] French Catholic theologian
who was a critic of the ‘philosophes.’ ‘A pious priest and an
energetic student, he devoted a great part of his time to writing in
defence of religion. He agreed to correct certain articles of the "Encyclopédie",
but found himself obliged to write entirely original articles which
then formed the "Dictionnaire de théologie" as a part of the "Encyclopédie".
Among his apologetical and theological works, the most important are:
"Le déisme refuté par lui-même" (Paris, 1765); "La certitude des
preuves du christianisme" (Paris, 1767, also published in Migne's "Démonstrations
évangéliques", XI); "Reponses aux Conseils raisonnables de Voltaire"
(Paris, 1771, also in Migne, ibid.); "Apologie de la religion
chrétienne" — against d'Holbach's "Christianisme devoile" (Paris,
1769); "Réfutation des principaux articles du dictionnaire
philosophique"; "Examen du materialisme" (Paris, 1771); "Traité
historique et dogmatique de la vraie religion" (Paris, 1780, and 8
vols. 8vo., 1820).’ (Catholic Encyclopedia).
$400
7. BOILEAU DESPREAUX. Oeuvres Completes De ... Paris: Chez L'Ecrivain..., 1815. In three volumes. 12mo., full
contemporary half calf, gilt spine compartments, gilt borders on
covers, inner dentelles gilt, leather spine labels, xxxvi, 240; 257;
(292)pp. With a frontispiece in volume one. Name on half-titles o/w an
about fine set.
$350
8. (BOURDON, L.G.). Le Parc au Cerf, Ou, L'Origine De L'Affreux
Deficit. Par un zele Patriote. Paris: Sur les debris de la Bastille, 1790. First edition. This
copy has only three of the four plates called for. As is quite common
this copy is LACKING the infamous plate which should face p. 123.
Complete copies are quite uncommon. Tall 8vo., rebound in the 19th
century red half morocco, marble boards, raised bands, gilt
compartments, 191pp. Pages a bit browned o/w a fine copy. Gay-Lemonnyer
III, 631.
An expose of "Le Parc au Cerf" at Versailles, the notorious seraglio
of Louis XV, so called, it is said, because the house bought for that
purpose stood in a district long since built over, used by Louis XIII
as a sort of deer farm." Copies with the plate facing p. 123 are
scarce.
$1,250
9. BOURSAULT, (Edme). Theatre de Feu. Nouvelle Edition, Revue,
corrigee & augmentee de plusieurs Pieces, qui n’ont point para dans
les precedentes. A Paris: Chez la Veuve de Pierre Ribou, ..., 1725. In three volumes.
New edition, corrected and enlarged. 12mo., full contemporary calf,
raised bands, gilt, leather spine labels, (38), 84, (2), 324; 391,(1);
(14), 138, (2), 100, (12), 99, (1), (4)pp. Some light rubbing o/w a
very good set in a contemporary binding.
Edme Boursault [1638-1701] French dramatist and miscellaneous
writer. Boursault produced several plays, the best known of which are
Le Mercure Galant (later changed to Le Comedie sans titre) (1683), La
Princesse de Cleves (1676) and Esope a la Cour (1701).
$450
10. (BRET, Antoine). Memoires sur la vie de mademoiselle de
Lenclos, par M. B****. Qui doivent preceder & servir d’avant premiere
Partie a celles de ses Lettres a M. le Marquis de Sevigne, qui suivent.
Amsterdam (Paris?): Chez Francois Joly, 1751, 1750. 12mo.,
contemporary brown calf binding, red leather spine label and raised
bands, viii, 120 pp; viii, 120 pp; 128 pp. With half-title page. With
a frontis portrait of Lenclos. Lettres de Mademoiselle Ninon De
Lenclos au Marquis de Sevigne in two parts with individual title pages
and separate pagination. Light dampstain to title page and affecting
upper margins of some leaves; edges and corners worn, front and rear
joint starting, with splitting to front inner hinge, but still
attached; small chips to label and head and foot of spine, otherwise a
good copy.
Known for her wit and charm, Anne De Lenclos, known as Ninon
(1620-1705) was popular among intellectual and elite social circles,
“her salon was frequented by men of letters (Boileau, La Fontaine,
Racine, Moliere, and others), ‘libertins’ (q.v.), artists, and members
of high society.” (Harvey and Heseltine, ‘Oxford Companion to French
Literature’, p. 407). Antoine Bret (1717-1792) was a prolific French
writer and dramatist.
The address of Amsterdam is spurious: published in Paris by Jean-Baptiste-Claude
II Bauche and Jacques III Rollin (BNF: FRBNF30159142). Copies of the
Memoires and the Lettres are found separately, as well as bound
together. Later editions appear to include both.
$650
11. CHEVALIER, C. Naples, le Vesuve et Pompei. Croquis de Voyage.
Illustrations par Anastasi. Tours: Alfred Mame et Fils, 1871. Tall 8vo., cont. leather spine,
cloth, raised bands, gilt compartments, 420pp. With illustrations.
Name, cloth mottled but still a very nice copy.
Travel description of Naples, Vesuvius and Pompeii, with their history,
sights, and anecdotes, in French.
$300
12. COYER, L'Abbe. Bagatelles Morales... Paris: Librairie Des Bibliophiles, 1884. Later edition (first
published 1754 with a fictitious imprint). Sm. 8vo., cont. red half
calf, marble boards, (xii), 99pp. With an engraved frontispiece. Fine.
The Abbe Coyer was noted for his pamphlet written in a light vein
and with finesse, which behind a frivolous appearance, contained
lessons in wisdom. Collected under the title "Bagatelles Morale" they
were judged at the time of their appearance with an enthusiasm they
did not merit, and, a little later, criticized with a bile equally
misplaced.
$165
13. DAUDET, Alphonse. Lettres de Mon Moulin. Paris: Bibliotheque-Charpentier, 1928. Edition definitive (so
stated). 8vo., cont. maroon morocco spine, marble boards, gilt borders
in compartments, t.e.g., 332pp. Cheap paper browned as usual o/w a
nice copy.
$150
14. DE GENLIS, Comtesse. (Felicite). De L'Emploi Du Temps. Paris: Arthus Bertrand, 1824. First and only edition. 12mo.,
cont. half calf, marble boards, two small gilt decorations on the
spine, leather spine labels, xxxii, (264)pp. Rubber stamp on front
free e/paper, cont. name on pastedown o/w a fine copy.
Mme De Genlis [1746-1830], born near Autun, was a woman of
"encyclopedic information with a mania for instructing others." She
"captivated" society after marrying the Comte De Genlis, and became
governess to the children of the Duchesse de Chartres, teaching them
about the novel while writing and producing plays for their
entertainment. Her husband was the first of the Girondins beheaded in
1793 (a fate subsequently shared by her lover Philippe-Egalite.) After
the death of her husband she emigrated to England and Switzerland,
where she supported herself by writing. "She lived on through the
Restoration... one of the great ladies of the 18th century. She was an
inexhaustible writer of popular romances which combined sentiment and
sensation, morals and history..." The present work is an ambitious
treatise about about how one might best use one's "time" from an early
age to one's last days, and even posthumously with the work one leaves
behind.
$450
15. DE GENLIS, Comtesse. (Felicite). Jeanne De France, Nouvelle
Historique. Paris: Maradan,..., 1816. Two volumes bound in one. First and only
edition. 12mo., cont. half calf, marble boards, two small gilt
decorations on the spine, leather spine labels, xii, 212; 196pp.
Rubber stamp on front free e/paper, cont. name on pastedown o/w a fine
copy. Thieme I p.827, Querard 3 p.308. NUC list one location only
(Yale).
Mme De Genlis [1746-1830] born near Autun and was a woman of
"encyclopedic information with a mania for instructing others." She
"captivated" society after marrying the Comte De Genlis, and became
governess to the children of the Duchesse de Chatres; teaching them
about the novel while writing and producing plays for their
entertainment. Her husband was the first of the Girondins beheaded in
1793 (a fate subsequently shared by her lover Philippe-Egalite). After
the death of her husband she emigrated to England and Switzerland,
where she supported herself by writing. "She lived on through the
Restoration... one of the great ladies of the 18th century. She was an
inexhaustible writer of popular romances which combined sentiment and
sensation, morals and history..." The above recounts the ill-fated
romance between Jeanne de France, younger daughter of Louis XI, and
Louis, duc d'Orleans, son of Charles, duc D' Orleans and Marie de
Cleves.
$850
16. DE GENLIS, Mme. Comtesse (Felicite). Palmyre Et Flaminie, Ou Le
Secret. Paris: Chez Maradan, Librarie, 1821. In two volumes. First
edition. 8vo., full contemporary calf, gilt, leather labels, (6), 272;
252pp. Upper hinge of volume one cracked, o/w a very good copy.
Mme De Genlis [1746-1830], born near Autun, was a woman of
"encyclopedic information with a mania for instructing others." She
"captivated" society after marrying the Comte De Genlis, and became
governess to the children of the Duchesse de Chartres, teaching them
about the novel while writing and producing plays for their
entertainment. Her husband was the first of the Girondins beheaded in
1793 (a fate subsequently shared by her lover Philippe-Egalite). After
the death of her husband she emigrated to England and Switzerland,
where she supported herself by writing. "She lived on through the
Restoration... one of the great ladies of the 18th century. She was an
inexhaustible writer of popular romances which combined sentiment and
sensation, morals and history..."
$300
17. DE GRAFIGY, Madame de. Vie Privee De Voltaire et de Mme Du Chatelet,
Pendant Un Sejour de Six Mois a Cirey;... Suivie de Cinquante Lettres
Inedites, en vers et en Prose, de Voltaire. Paris: Truettel et Wurtz..., 1820. First edition. With the
bookplates of Dr. Clarence Farrar and Edward Everett, the former
President of Harvard College. 8vo., rebound in modern green cloth, vi,
461pp. With an engraved frontispiece portrait of Mme. de Grafigy. Some
scattered foxing, heavier on the first and last dozen or so leaves,
o/w a very nice copy in a plain modern cloth binding.
This work contains Mme. de Grafigy’s letters describing her visit with
Voltaire and Emilie at Cirey, and includes 50 previously unpublished
letters by Voltaire.
$450
18.
DE JOUY, (Victor-Joseph-Etienne). L'Hermite de la Guiane, ou
Observations sur les moeurs et les usages francais au commencement du
XIXe siecle. Paris: Pillet, 1817. In three volumes. Fifth edition. 12mo., cont.
green half calf, marble boards, raised bands, gilt compartments,
leather spine labels, iv, 364; 336; (346), (viii), (2)pp. With six
engraved plates and vignettes. Some minor rubbing o/w a fine set.
Sabin 36769.
De Jouy [1764-1846] led an active life as an officer and later as a
politician before dedicating himself to literary pursuits in 1799. His
first works were rather indecorous novelettes, published under the
title "Galeries des Femmes." He then turned to writing "reflections"
on various subjects, which first appeared in periodicals and were
later collected as "L'Hermite en Chousee d'Antin" (1812-1814) and the
above in 1816. These works were very successful and established a
reputation for de Jouy as a great moral authority.
$650
19.
DE LA FONTAINE, Jean. Contes et Nouvelles en Vers. Paris: Librarie de Lecointe, 1830. Two volumes bound in one.
12mo., cont. half calf, marble boards, leather spine label, 198;
226pp. Some wear to the head of the spine o/w very good.
$165
20. DE MAISTRE, le Comte Joseph. Considerations sur la France.
Lyon: Russand, 1822. Nouvelle edition, revue et corrigee par
l'auteur. Tall 8vo., later 19th century leather spine, boards, viii,
236pp. With new e/papers. This copy has been recased with new
e/papers, some slight wear to the boards o/w a nice copy.
Joseph de Maistre [1754-1821] influential statesman for the Kingdom
of Sardinia, Senator of Savoie, French writer and philosopher who
wrote several very successful works. This new edition is based on the
London edition of 1797 and has been revised and corrected by the
author. According to the Preface these corrections and revisions make
this edition preferable to previous editions.
$350
21.
DE SEVIGNE, Madame. Letters Choisis de Mme. De Sevigne...;
Precedes des Reflections de M. L'Abbe De Vauxcelles, et Accompagnees
des Notes Historiques de M. Grouvel. Paris: Bossange et Masson, 1817. In three volumes. 12mo., cont.
black half calf, marble boards, clxxiv, 150; 295; 268pp. Name, lacking
rear free e/paper in one volume but o/w a nice set.
Marie de Rabutin-Chatel, Marquise De Sevigne (1626-1696) French
writer. Orphaned at age 6, she was brought up by her uncle, Christophe
De Coulanges, in Brittany. She received an education usually reserved
for boys and developed a love of Latin, Spanish and Italian
literature. She married and had a family but after her husband was
killed in a duel in 1651, she took part by letter in the intellectual
debates of the age. She had a wide circle of friends and left a huge
quantity of letters which were written with wit, warmth and charm,
revealing her humor and sensitivity. Her letters provide a vivid
commentary on manners, intrigues, values and daily life during the
reign of Louis XV. The most admired of her letters are those written
to her daughter which have been described as "loving, intimate,
possessive and introspective."
$275
22. DU TILLIOT, (Jean-Baptiste Lucotte). Memoires Pour Servir A
L’Histoire de la Fete Des Foux. Lausanne & Geneve: no publisher, 1751. Sm. 8vo., full contemporary
calf, raised bands, gilt compartments, [ii], x, 183pp. With twelve
plates bound in reverse order at the front. Ex-library with
rubberstamp on the front free e/paper and fore-edges, hinges cracked
with a 2” piece out at the foot of the spine, a good copy. Brunet V
860.
This is a history of the fête des foux, the 'feast of fools', in
late December each year, around the time of the Holy Innocents' day,
when upper and lower clergy changed roles and liturgy would be
parodied. By the mid-eighteenth century such practices had long been
outlawed, but had also become the object of antiquarian interest.
$300
23. ERCILLA y ZUÑIGA, Alonso de. L'Araucana, Poëme Heroïque de Don Ercilla,
traduit, pour la première fois, et abrégé du texte espagnol par
Gilibert de Merlhiac, Chevalier de St.-Louis, Membre et Associé de
plusieurs Sociétés Savantes. Paris: Chez Igonette, 1824. First edition in French. 8vo., full
contemporary calf, spine gilt, 282pp. Some minor rubbing o/w near
fine.
$350
24. FALLOUX, Le Comte de. Memoires d'un Royaliste. Paris: Perrin et Cie., Librarie Academique Didier, 1888. In two
volumes. First edition. Tall 8vo., cont. half calf, marble boards,
raised bands, vi, (601); 594pp. With a frontis portrait in each
volume. Bookplate o/w fine.
Frederic Alfred Pierre Falloux [1811-1886] French politician and
author. Falloux began his career as a Legitimist and clerical
journalist under the influence of Mme. Swetchine. In 1846 he entered
the legislature as deputy for Maine-et-Loire, and with many other
ultra-Catholics he gave real or pretended support to the revolution of
1848. Louis Napoleon appointed him minister of education in 1849 but
controversy forced his resignation a year later. He did however
secure the passage of the Loi Falloux for the organization of primary
and secondary education. This law provided that the clergy and members
of ecclesiastical orders, male and female, might exercise the
profession of teaching without producing any further qualifications.
Falloux failed to gain re-election to the legislature but his
influence remained great. In 1872 he became embroiled in a dispute
over his hope of effecting a fusion between the partisans of the comte
de Chambord and of the Orleans princes, divided on the vexed question
of the flag. His disgrace became so complete that he was
excommunicated by the bishop of Angers in 1876.
$400
25. FIÉVÉE, J. (Joseph). La Dot de Suzette, ou Histoire De Mme. De
Senneterre, racontée par elle-même. Paris: Chez Perlet, 1803. Later edition, first published 1798.
“Seule Édition faite sous les yeux de l’Auteur”. 8vo., cont. quarter
calf, marble boards, leather spine label, gilt details, xviii, 237pp.
Stamp on half-title, boards rubbed with light wear to extremities and
worming along the rear board and into leather spine edge, still about
near fine.
“For generations, everyone in France read La Dot de Suzette. This
slim novel, published anonymously… was readily available and
frequently reprinted. There were cheap editions and expensive ones,
and translations too. Mothers were not afraid to give this virtuous
love story, which extolled among other things obedience, gratitude,
and charity, to their daughters”. The Eighteenth Century: a Current
Bibliography.
$150
26. FRANTIN, J.M. F. Louis-le-Pieux et son Siecle. Paris: Librarie de Pelissonnier, 1839. In two volumes. Tall 8vo.,
late 19th century half calf, marble boards, leather spine labels, 388;
484, (1)pp. With a large folding map in volume one. A bit of rubbing
o/w a fine copy.
A history of Louis I [778-840] Roman emperor, third son of
Charlemagne, also known as Louis I of France. He earned the surname
"Pious" by banishing his sisters and others who lived "immoral lives"
from the court and by attempting to purify monastic life and show
great liberality to the Church. An account of post-Charlemagne Europe
in all its sound and fury.
$350
27. (GERARD, Philippe-Louis). Le Comte de Valmont, ou lest
Egarements de la Raison... La Theorie du Bonheur, ou l'Art de se
Rendre Heureux, Mis a la Portee de Tous les Hommes; Faisant Suite au
Comte de Valmont, et a laquelle au a joint deux lettres, l'une sur
l'Education des Demoiselles, l'autre sur un choix de lectures. Paris: Bossange, Masson et Desson, 1804-1807. In six volumes.
12mo., full cont. calf, leather spine labels, xx, 454; 416; 418; 378;
392; 488pp. With engraved frotispieces. Dampstaining to the
frontispieces, some wear to extremities but certainly a very good set.
Tells essentially the same story as Pierre Choderlos de Laclos' "Les
Liaisons Dangereuses..." of selected members of the French
aristocracy.
$450
28.
(GRIVEL, Guillaume). L' Ami Des Jeunes Gens, Par M.G. **** A Lille & A Paris: Chez Mequignon Le Jeune, ..., 1776. Two parts
bound in one volume. Tall 12mo., full cont. calf, raised bands, gilt
compartments, leather spine label, (viii), 237; 239pp. Ink blottings
of contemporary names on titles, mark on upper cover but o/w a very
nice copy.
Guillaume Grivel [1735-1810] studied law but later went to Paris
and was the author of several works. He was a member of several of the
Academies including "Dijon, La Rochelle and Rouen and was also a
member of "the Philadelphia Philosophy Society." The above work is a
treatise on education.
30.
HALLER, Albert (Albrecht). Eloge Historique D’ Albert De Haller.
Geneve: Chez Isaac Bardin, 1778. Bound With: VENEL, M. Eloge
Historique De M. Venel. Grenoble: J. Cuchet... Paris: Nyon, ..., 1777.
(With): ROUSSEAU, J.J. Anecdotes Pour Servir a La Vie De... Amsterdam:
Et a Lausanne chez F. Grasset, 1779. (With): CAVANILLES. Observations
De M. L’Abbe Cavanilles Sur L’Article Espagne....Paris: Chez Alex.
Jombert..., 1784. (With): Eloge De M. Piatre De Rozier. Orleans:
l’Imprimerie de Couret de Villeneuve..., (1785). 8vo., full
contemporary calf, raised bands, leather label, 104; 78; (156) with
pp. 9-24 misbound before the titlepage; (35)pp. Spine ends chipped
away, outer hinges rubbed, a good copy.
$850
31.
HUGO, Victor. Les Miserables. Paris: Pagnerre, Libraire-Editeur, 1862. First Paris edition
(preceded by a few days by the Brussels edition). Ten volumes bound in
five. Tall 8vo., rebound
in the early 20th century with dark blue leather spines, marble
boards, raised bands. There is a large closed tear in the titlepage of
volume IX, some occasional foxing o/w a near fine copy.
$3,500
32.
LAIR, J. (editor). Louise de la Valliere Et La Jeunesse De Louis XIV
D’Apres Des Documents Inedits Avec le Texte Authentique Des Lettres De
La Duchesse Au Marchal De Bellefonds. Paris: E. Plon et Cie., 1881. First edition. Tall 8vo.,
contemporary blue morocco spine, marble boards, raised bands, gilt
compartments, 437pp. With an engraved frontispiece. A fine copy.
$300
33. Le NORMANT. (editor). Le Conservateur. Paris: Le Normant, fils, 1818-1820. In six volumes. 8vo., full
cont. calf, gilt compartments, leather spine labels. Library pockets
at rear (no other library markings), volume one lacking the rear
pastedown, some wear to extremities but still a very good set.
Contains contributions by Chateaubriand, to whom the work is
dedicated by the editor. This ultra-Royalist journal was published
irregularly in order to evade censorship. It was founded in 1818, in
opposition to "Le Minerva Francaise" and lasted until 1820.
$850
34.
(MACEDONIA) ANON. Macedoine Revolutionnaire, Pour Servir A L'Histoire
De Nos Jours; Ou La Verite Toute Nue Sur Nos Malheurs, Sur Les Grands
Cupables... Paris: Chez C.F. Patris, Libraire, 1815. Tall 8vo., cont. calf
spine, marble boards, 336, viii pp. Table of contents and preface
bound at rear o/w a nice copy.
$350
35. (MYTHOLOGY) NOEL, Fr. Dictionnaire de la Fable, Ou Mythologie Grecque,
Latine, Egyptienne, Celtique, Persanne, Syriaque, Indienne, Chinoise,
Scandinave, Africaine, Amerique, ... (WITH): Supplement au
Dictionnaire de la Fable. Paris: Le Normant, 1801. In two volumes. First edition. With the
bookplate of Henry Drummond. Tall 8vo., full cont. calf, raised bands,
cc, 477, (75); (767)pp. Some rubbing to the outer hinges o/w a very
nice copy.
This very well researched, exhaustive dictionary of world mythology
was quite well received upon publication and by 1824 it had gone into
a fourth edition.
SOLD
36. PANNARD, Charles-Francois. Theatre et Oeuvres Diverses. Paris: Chez Duchesne, 1763. In four volumes. First collected
edition. Sm. 8vo., cont. half calf, boards, raised bands, leather
labels. With a frontispiece portrait in volume one, and also with
music. A fine copy.
$1,250
37. PEREY, Lucien and Gaston Maugras. Une Femme Du Monde Au
XVIII Siecle. Dernieres Annees De Madame D’Epinay Son Salon et Ses
Amis D’Apres Des Lettres et Des Documents Inedits Par... Paris: Calmann, Levy, Editeur, 1883. Third edition. (First
published in 1883, it was preceded in 1882 by a volume titled ‘La Jeunesse de Madame d’Epinay” which covered the earlier part of her
life and correspondence.) Tall 8vo., contemporary blue morocco spine,
marble boards, raised bands, elaborate gilt compartments, t.e.g.,
(xii), 607pp. Prelims browned o/w a fine copy.
Louise Florence Petronille Taridue d’Esclavelles d’Epinay, French
writer and ‘saloniste’ known for her liaisons with Friedrich Melchior,
Baron von Grimm and Jean-Jacques Rousseau as well as her association
with Diderot and other figures of the French Enlightenment.
$250
38. RACINE, Jean. La Religion, Poeme. Nouvelle Edition. Paris: Chez J.B. Coignard... Jean Desaint, 1742. New edition (same
year as the first edition). 8vo., full cont. calf, raised bands, gilt
compartments, leather spine label, xvi, 219, (3), xxii, 79, (2)pp.
Some rubbing o/w a near fine copy.
Also present are "Judgement de M. Rousseau sur le poeme de la
religion," "Epitre de M. Rousseau a M. Racine," and "Reponse [de M.
Racine] a l'epitre de M. Rousseau, contre les esprits forts." Also
bound in at the rear is Racine's poem, "La Grace, Poeme". No place, no
publisher, no date. This copy matches that held in the University of
California library system.
$650
39. RACINE, Jean. Oeuvres de Jean Racine. Paris: Chez Raymond et Menard..., 1810. In four volumes. 12mo.,
full contemporary calf, gilt spine decoration, gilt borders, leather
spine labels. With engravings. Covers of volume one warped with the
outer front hinge cracked, name, o/w a nice set.
$250
40.
(RICCOBONI, Marie Jeanne). Lettres De Milady Juliette Catesby, A
Milady Henriette Camply, Son Amie.
Amsterdam: np, 1759. First edition. (BOUND WITH): RICCOBONI, Marie
Jeanne. Lettres De Mistress Fanni Butlerd, A Milord Charles Alfred... Paris: Par La Societe Des Libraires, 1759. Second edition. 12mo.,
full cont. calf, gilt decoration in the spine, leather spine labels,
250; (4), (1)-188pp. Outer front hinge starting, small piece out at
the foot of the spine with light wear to extremities but certainly a
very good copy. These editions are often found bound together.
Marie Jeanne Riccoboni [1714-1792] French epistolary novelist. She
was orphaned at an early age and left in the care of her aunt. Marie
left her aunt in order to pursue what was an unsuccessful career as an
actress. It was during her attempts at acting that she met and married
her husband, an equally mediocre actor named Riccoboni. Their union was
an unhappy one, with Marie Jeanne left lonely and impoverished by her
husband's infidelities. In order to support herself, she decided to try
her hand at writing and with the publication of her first book, "Fanni..."
she began her career as a novelist. "Fanni" is a novel in epistolary
form, a history which purports to follow the misfortunes of
the heroine, Fanni, who is the first of Riccoboni's "much wronged
heroines." Her next work, "Histoire du Marquis de Cressy" (1758) was
well received by the critics and quite successful. It was with the
publication of her next work, the above, "Lettres De Milady Juliette
Catesby" that Riccoboni secured her place among the great romance
writers of the 18th century. In fact, with each of the early novels,
there was much speculation that their author "could not have been a
woman." "All Mme. Riccoboni's work is clever, with real pathos; amongst
the best examples of the sensibility novel." "As an author, she
occupies a very distinguished place in our pleasant literature. Few
women, and even few men, thought with such finesse or wrote with such
spirit..." M. Riccoboni's works were translated into English and were
quite influential in their English versions. Unfortunately she ended
her life in poverty, with the Revolution depriving her of the small
pension the French court had awarded her.
$1,250
41. ROQUEFORT, J.B.B. Glossaire de la Langue Romane, Redige
d'apres les Manuscrits de la Bibliotheque Imperiale... Coutenant
l'etymologie et la significantion des mots usites dans les XI, XII,
XII, XIV, XV, et XVIe siecles... et precede d'un Discours sur
l'origine... de la Langue Francoise. Paris: B. Waree, 1808. In two volumes. Tall 8vo., cont. half calf,
marble boards, xxxii, 771, (1)p. errata; 780pp. in double columns.
Bookplate, some slight wear to corners o/w a near fine set.
Jean-Baptiste-Boniface de Roquefort [1777-1834] Belgian
philologist, composer of music and writer on music, wrote this
exhaustive glossary on the French language of the eleventh to
sixteenth centuries. It includes a discourse on the origins,
development and variations of the language, to be of use to those
wishing to consult or become familiar with the writings of early
French authors. Complete in two volumes, a supplement was published in
1820.
$500
42. ROSCOE, William. Vie de Laurent de Medicis, Surnomme, Le
Magnifique; Traduite de L'Anglais de William Roscoe, sur la seconde
edition Par Francois Thurot. Paris: de l'imprimerie De Baudoin, An VIII. (1799/1800). In two
volumes. First edition in French. Tall 8vo., cont. calf spine, marble
boards, raised bands, leather spine labels, xlviii, 487; (vi), 578pp.
Outer front hinges of both volumes have a 1 1/2" split at the top but
are still quite strong o/w a very good set.
This copy has the translator's "Lettre au citoyen Lecuoteulyx"
which Brunet states was removed from some copies because it was full
of Republican ideas which could be expressed in An VII but not in An
VIII. The original work was published in 1795 by Roscoe and was praised
for its "Grecian style of simplicity, judicious candour, without
personal bias" by Horace Walpole, who also noted that "Roscoe is
....by far the best of our historians, both for beauty of style and
for deep reflctions; and his translations of poetry are equal to the
original."
$350
43. SAINT-ANDRE, Claude. Madame du Barry. D'Apres les documents
authentiques (with a photogravure minature portrait by Lavrencee). Paris: Emile-Paul, 1909. Fourth edition. Tall 8vo., cont. tan calf
spine, marble boards, elaborate gilt decoration on the spine, leather
spine label, (xx), (479), (1)p. ads. Name, else fine.
$250
44. SAINT-PIERRE, Jacques-Bernardin-Henri De. Paul et Virginie,
... Paris: (Chez P. Fr. Didot...), 1789. First separate edition.
12mo., full contemporary calf, leather spine labels, (xxxvi), 243pp.
Bookplates, outer front hinge starting, some rubbing but still very
good.
$450
45. SCARRON, Paul. Le Virgile Travesty En vers Burlesques De Monsieur
Scarron. Paris: Chez Guillaume De Luyne..., 1662. Two volumes bound in one.
This edition is the first to contain eight books of the poem. 12mo.,
19th century black calf spine, marble boards, raised bands, elaborate
gilt compartments, (22), 354; (8), 299, (280 ads). A fine copy. Brunet
V p.184 notes.
$750
46. TOPFFER, R. (Rodolphe). Nouveaux Voyages En Zigzag La
Grande-Chartreuse, Autour Du Mont Blanc Dans Les Valles D'Herens, De
Zermatt, Au Grimsel... Paris: Garnier Freres, ..., 1886. Fifth edition. Sm. 4to.,
contemporary green morocco spine, cloth, raised bands, gilt
compartments, small gilt decoration on upper cover, a.e.g., (xviii),
454pp. With 48 full page plates and illustrations in the text.
Bookplate, o/w near fine.
$500
47. (VILLETTE, Charles). Oeuvres Du Marquis De Villette. Londres (actually Paris): (Clousier...), 1784. First edition.
12mo., full cont. calf, leather spine label, (x), (1)-270pp. Inner
front hinge starting, 1 1/2" split in outer front hinge but still
quite strong, small hole in rear spine gutter but in fact a very good
copy.
Charles Villette [1736-1793] French writer and politician. Villette
took part in the Seven Years War, and then returned to Paris in 1763
where he "made many enemies by his insufferable manners." Villette
became friends with Voltaire, who referred to Villette as his protege
and wished to make a poet of him. On Voltaire's advice, Villette
married Mademoiselle De Variscourt, but the marriage was an unhappy
one. During the Revolution, Villette wrote revolutionary articles in "Chronique
de Paris." "He had the courage to censure the September massacres and
vote for the imprisonment, not the death of Louis XVI. " In 1784 he
published the above title.
$400
48. VOLTAIRE (Francois-Marie Arouet). Siecles de Louis XIV
et de Louis XV. Paris: de L'Imprimerie et de la Fondie de Pierre Didot l'Aine,
1820. In four volumes. 8vo., cont. half calf, marble boards, raised
bands, 440; 446; 454; 434pp. A fine set.
"Siecle de Louis XIV" was first published in 1751, in Berlin. It
appears they were first published together in 1803 (BM catalogue).
$850
49. VOLTAIRE (Francois-Marie Arouet). Siecle de Louis XIV suivi de
la Liste des Enfants de Louis XIV, des Princes de la Maison de France
de son Temps, des Souverains Contemporains... Paris: Librairie de Firmin Didot Freres, Fils et Cie., 1858. In
two volumes. Tall 8vo., cont. half calf, marble boards, raised bands,
leather spine labels, 492; 480pp. Trace of rubbing o/w a fine copy.
$450
50. VOSGIEN. Dictionnaire de poche, geographique, ou, Description des
republiques, royaumes, provinces, villes: eveches, duches,
comtes, ports, forteresses, et autres lieux considerables des quatre
parties du monde... Traduit de l'anglais sur la 13 ed. de Laurent-Echard,
par Vosgien. (Pseud. of Jean Baptiste Ladvocat). Paris: Chez Lesguilliez, freres..., an IX. (1801). New edition,
revised, corrected and enlarged. Sm. 8vo., full cont. calf, leather
spine label, iv, 730pp. double columns. With three folding maps. Some
tears to two of the maps, no loss, outer rear hinge cracked, but
certainly a very good copy.
This edition is an abridgement of Antoine Bruzen de la Martinere's
"Geographical Dictionary" translated from the English of Laurence
Echard by Vosgien. The three folding maps are of France; Europe and
the World; the last presented in two hemispheres and shows Australia.
$600
The Pope's Bookbinder
A Memoir
By David Mason
The Pope's Bookbinder AVAILABLE in trade paperback ($24.95) updated
with new chapter "Hemingway Heist", and Hardcover ($37.95)
All books purchased through us will be signed by David Mason.
A memoir of Mason's forty-five years in the booktrade. After some
years in Europe doing odd jobs, including a period doing bookbinding
in Spain, and reading incessantly, Mason returned to Canada,
apprenticed in the book trade with Joseph Patrick Books and has been
selling used and rare books ever since. His memories include the books
dealers, collectors, and libraries he has dealt with over that period.
The added chapter in the trade paperback edition on the Hemingway /
Fitzgerald / Callaghan robbery explains what happened and why the
author chose not to put it in the original edition.
All prices are listed in Canadian dollars, Canadian orders subject to 5%
GST charge. U.S. clients will be billed in U.S. funds at the current rate
of exchange.
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