281 - [THEILLE, Alfred de]. The Splendors of Love and Pleasure in the Five Parts of the World.

[THEILLE, Alfred de]. The Splendors of Love and Pleasure in the Five Parts of the World. A rare first edition of this delightful portrayal of customs around the world, published under the pseudonym Baron de St-Eldme and illustrated with 2 frontispieces, a vignette, and 4 engraved fold-out plates depicting scenes of Egyptian and Muslim customs. Paris, Les Marchands de Nouveautés, 1839. 2 volumes in 1 in-8 volume (135 x 215 mm), aubergine half-shagreen with corner pieces, smooth spine decorated with friezes and cold-stamped and gilt fillets, author and title in gilt letters. 2 unnumbered folios, 292 pages, and 1 unnumbered folio (table of contents); 2 blank folios and 284 pp. Volume 1: frontispiece engraved by Ladrer, 1 out-of-text engraving, and 2 engraved folding plates (Egyptian bath and wedding), one of which by Petit after Denon; Volume 2: frontispiece, 2 engraved fold-out plates in Volume 2 (a Muslim funeral and a harem feast), Binding slightly rubbed, joints split over 11 cm on the upper cover, scattered foxing inside and on the edges. A rare first edition of this exotic panorama of the splendors of love and sensual pleasure around the world, published under the pseudonym Baron de Saint-Eldme by Alfred de Theille, who released it the same year under the title *Souvenirs de voyage*. It includes descriptions of seraglios, harems, musicians, behind-the-scenes scenes, the gallantries of queens and ladies of the court, portraits of favorites and courtesans—both ancient and modern—biographies of the most famous adulterers, scenes of popular customs, boudoirs, courtship customs, wedding ceremonies, and the customs of Eastern peoples—including the Mughals, Tahitians, Hottentots, and even the Lapps. Ex-libris label of J. Baart de la Faille of Groningen on the inside front cover. A fine copy of this rare work.