234 - [PAMPHLETS - ANCIEN RÉGIME]. The Devil in a Holy Water Font [bound with] Historical Description of a Symbolic Monster...

[PAMPHLETS - ANCIEN RÉGIME]. The Devil in a Holy Water Font [bound with] Historical Description of a Symbolic Monster... A composite volume of two clandestine pamphlets, including the rare *Historical Description of a Symbolic Monster*, complete with its two engravings of a harpy. Paris, Imprimerie Royale, n.d. [1791] and Santa Fe and Paris, n.p., 1784. 2 pamphlets in 1 small 8vo volume (200 x 129 mm), marbled brown sheepskin, smooth spine decorated with small gilt metal tools, cream leather title label, marbled edges. 159 pp., copperplate-engraved frontispiece; 4 unnumbered folios (title and anecdote) and 29 pp., two separate copperplate engravings. Normal wear and tear, cap edges worn down, corners dulled with loss, a few foxing spots and water stains, frayed side margins on the two engravings of harpies. The first pamphlet presents the famous libel by Anne-Gédéon de La Fite de Pelleport. Directed against Théveneau de Morande (the author of *Le Gazetier cuirassé devenu espion à Londres*) and against the Parisian police, this work denounces ministerial despotism and stands out as a huge success in clandestine literature. While the original text was published in London in 1784, this edition stands out for its ironic title page bearing a false statement that it was reviewed by the royal censor, Abbé Aubert, as well as a false royal approval. These features are typical of reprints published at the very beginning of the Revolution. Rare and complete with its two engravings (the female and male harpies), the second pamphlet is attributed by Barbier to the Count of Provence (the future King Louis XVIII), brother of Louis XVI. The text features Viceroy Francisco Xaveiro de Meunrios, a transparent anagram of Louis-Stanislas-Xavier de France or “Monsieur,” his official title at Court. In this satire, the prince captures a terrifying hybrid monster: under the guise of this fantastical beast, he is in fact crafting a scathing allegory against Comptroller General Calonne, accusing him of devouring the kingdom’s finances. [BARBIER, I, 905]. A handwritten note in black ink on the lower inside front cover announcing the table of contents for this mock volume, along with the two titles. An excellent copy.