22 - BARANTE, Baron de. History of the Dukes of Burgundy of the House of Valois, 1364–1477.

BARANTE, Baron de. History of the Dukes of Burgundy of the House of Valois, 1364–1477. Paris, Ladvocat, 1825. In-8 (21 x 13 cm), brown half-basane with corner pieces, decorated spine, embossed fleurons, and gilt scrolls. Contemporary binding. 13 uncollated volumes, numerous separate engravings (portraits and maps). Slight scuffing on the caps, scattered foxing. A fine, beautifully bound copy of the classic “History of the Dukes of Burgundy” from the House of Valois by the historian and politician Amable-Guillaume-Prosper Brugière, Baron de Barante (1782–1866). This work, which was a great success and went through numerous editions, earned him election in 1828 to the Académie française, where he occupied seat 33. Third edition in 12 volumes, to which is appended, in matching bindings, a thirteenth volume containing an index and an atlas. A remarkable work for its narrative qualities and style, characteristic of the Romantic historical school, it falls short due to its lack of critical distance and scientific rigor—a shortcoming the epigraph, moreover, acknowledges without mincing words: Scribitur ad narrandum non ad probandum (This book is written to tell a story, not to prove it). A fine copy on laid paper, attractively bound in its original binding.