84 - MOLIÈRE (Jean Baptiste Poquelin, known as).

MOLIÈRE (Jean Baptiste Poquelin, known as). Works. Paris, n.p., 1734. 6 volumes, large quarto, light calfskin, spine with decorated raised bands, triple gilt fillet framing the covers with a gilt coat of arms in the center, double gilt fillet on the edges, gilt interior roulette, gilt edges (contemporary binding). First edition and first printing, identifiable by the fact that the word “Comtesse” is misspelled as “Comteesse” on the 12th line of page 360 of Volume 6 of this masterpiece of illustration by Boucher. “It is one of the most beautiful illustrated books of the first half of the 18th century.” (Cohen 712.) Significant and richly detailed copperplate engravings. It includes 1 title vignette repeated in all 6 volumes, 1 portrait of Molière by Coypel engraved by Lépicié, 33 full-page illustrations by Boucher engraved by L. Cars, 103 vignettes, 103 initials, and 95 end-of-page illustrations; all by Boucher, Blondel & Oppenord, engraved by Joullain & L. Cars. A fine copy in period light calfskin bearing the coat of arms of René-Mans de Froulay, Marquis and later Count of Tessé and Marquis of Lavardin (1736–1814). He served successively as lieutenant general for the King in the provinces of Maine and Perche and in the county of Laval, then as governor of Le Mans; appointed colonel of the Grenadiers of France on May 30, 1752, he assumed the office of First Squire to the Queen in April 1753. He was also promoted to cavalry brigadier in December 1762, then to field marshal, and was created a Knight of the Order of the Holy Spirit on February 2, 1776. (O.H.R., plate no. 974.) Some minor wear or restoration.