51 - BASSOMPIERRE, François de. Memoirs of Marshal de Bassompierre.

BASSOMPIERRE, François de. Memoirs of Marshal de Bassompierre. Dutch edition of the memoirs of François de Bassompierre, in beautiful, uniform bindings of the period. Amsterdam, Published by the Company, 1723. 4 volumes in-12, full fawn glazed calfskin, spine with guilloché raised bands, gilt fleurons between the bands, title labels and volume numbers in ochre and green morocco, triple gilt fillet framing the covers, decorated edges, red edges, endpapers and inner covers of marbled paper (contemporary binding). 403 pp.; 430 pp.; 468 pp.; 354 pp., titles printed in black and red, adorned with a vignette of an armillary sphere. Bindings slightly rubbed; title labels and volume numbers somewhat faded. Very rare foxing; outer side margin slightly short (without affecting the text). A fine Dutch edition of the memoirs of Marshal François de Bassompierre (1579–1646), the original of which was printed in Leiden by the heirs and widow of Jean Elzevier in 1665. Cultured, full of courage, beauty, and wit, and a lover of pomp, games, and gallantry, Bassompierre was the quintessential gentleman of his time. Appointed Marshal of France in 1622, he served as ambassador to Spain and England. Suspected by Richelieu of having taken part in the “Day of the Dupes” in November 1630, he was imprisoned in the Bastille in February 1631. He devoted the twelve years of his imprisonment to writing his Memoirs and the account of his diplomatic missions. Here he recounts his youth, his military career, the Wars of Religion, the Thirty Years’ War, and life at the French court under Henry IV and Louis XIII. Heraldic bookplate by Thomas Barrett (c. 1743–1803) on the endpapers, a stamped bookplate by A.G. Roth on the flyleaves, and a bookplate bearing the monogram "H.L." (or “J.C.L.”) stamped on the title pages. The second blank endpaper of the first volume bears a handwritten note in English. A very fine copy, complete in 4 beautifully bound volumes, all identical in design.