17 - [ANONYMOUS]. Humorous and Gallant Letters by Sieur de ***. Interwoven with burlesque descriptions, moral observations, geography, pleasant reflections, and other embellishments of the art.

[ANONYMOUS]. Humorous and Gallant Letters by Sieur de ***. Interwoven with burlesque descriptions, moral observations, geography, pleasant reflections, and other embellishments of the art. A rare first edition of this fictional collection of letters, well-preserved in its period binding. Paris, Jacques Grou, 1708. In-12, full brown speckled calfskin, ribbed spine with decorative raised bands, gilt fleurons between the ribs, title label in brown morocco, speckled edges (contemporary binding). 4 unnumbered folios, 240 pp. and 62 pp., title medallion, headbands, and initials. Binding slightly rubbed and stained. First edition of this collection of letters interspersed with romantic descriptions, witty remarks, short anecdotes, and light-hearted poetry, characteristic of the romantic and burlesque spirit of the early 18th century. The last section (“Comic Letter Written to Madame the Countess of ***”) has separate pagination. [Gay II, 837] Ex-libris from 1724 stamped on the back cover. A fine copy in a contemporary binding.