205 - [PECQUET, Antoine]. Secret Memoirs for the History of Persia.

[PECQUET, Antoine]. Secret Memoirs for the History of Persia. Secret Memoirs for the History of Persia. Amsterdam, published by the Company, 1749. In-16 (12 x 7.5 cm), olive half-calf with corner pieces, ribbed spine decorated with the title and gilt fleurons. Three red edges. 19th-century binding. Slight rubbing. Dry-stamped bookplate on the upper endpaper (G. Le Poitevin) Third edition published four years after the original of 1745 (the second in 1746). A satirical roman à clef set during the Regency period following the death of Louis XIV and the early years of Louis XV’s reign. Under the false title of *Mémoires*, it is an “Eastern” narrative recounting all the events in France and Europe since the death of Louis XIV, with real names concealed behind Eastern names. It is here that the story of the Man in the Iron Mask is recounted for the first time. The work caused such a stir that even years later, the families involved demanded that the government during the Restoration place it on the Index. The author was, of course, imprisoned in the Bastille upon its publication. It is complete with the important “key” that reveals the real names of the characters in this work. A fine copy preserved in a 19th-century binding.