82 - [CAILHAVA DE L'ESTENDOUX, Jean-François]. *Le Soupé*, a moral work.

[CAILHAVA DE L'ESTENDOUX, Jean-François]. *Le Soupé*, a moral work. Anonymous second edition, dated the same as the original, of this rare collection of short stories and libertine tales, in a beautiful full calfskin binding of the period. London [Paris], publisher and date unknown [1770]. 2 parts in 1 in-8 volume, full fawn marbled calfskin, plain spine decorated with gilt fleurons, title label in red morocco, triple fillet with gilt corner ferrules framing the covers, gilt fillet on the edges, endpapers and inner covers in marbled paper (contemporary binding). xxvii, 145 pp., iv and 124 pp., title fleurons, headpieces, and tailpieces. Binding very slightly rubbed, discreet restorations at the bottom and in the corners, rare and small foxing spots. Second edition with a fictitious London address (actually Paris), published the same year and immediately following the first, in response to the book’s success. Behind a misleading title, this work by the playwright Jean François Cailhave de L’Estendoux (1730–1813) conceals a collection of libertine anecdotes and tales. Depicting a sexual gathering recounted by each of the guests, the author satirizes the famous dinners hosted by the fabulously wealthy financier Samuel Bernard at Marly. In 1881, the journalist and publisher Charles Monselet republished it under the title *Les Contes de l’abbé de Colibri*. [Gay, III, 1140–1141] The author’s name, handwritten and annotated at the time, appears on the title page. A very fine copy in a contemporary binding.