187 - LE NOBLE, Eustache. *The Story of the Dragoon*, recounting the military exploits and adventures of Geneviève Prémoy, under the name of Chevalier Baltazar, dedicated to the King.

LE NOBLE, Eustache. *The Story of the Dragoon*, recounting the military exploits and adventures of Geneviève Prémoy, under the name of Chevalier Baltazar, dedicated to the King. A very rare first edition recounting the adventures of Geneviève Prémoy, known as Chevalier Baltazar, who enlisted in Louis XIV’s army dressed as a man. Paris, Amable Auroy, 1703. In-8, full brown speckled sheepskin, spine with decorated raised bands, gilt fleurons between the bands, title label in ochre morocco, gilt roulette on the edges, red speckled edges (contemporary binding). 5 ff., 614 pp., and 1 f., 1 portrait engraved by Scotin the Younger as a frontispiece. Binding rubbed, with scuffs on the back cover. A very rare first edition of this account of the extraordinary life of Geneviève Prémoy (1660–1706), known as Chevalier Baltazar, one of the most remarkable women of Louis XIV’s reign. Passionate about weapons and horseback riding, she enlisted in 1676 in a dragoon regiment of the Prince of Condé while dressed as a man and took part in numerous campaigns (the battles of Luzzara, Santa Vittoria, and along the banks of the Rhine and the Po). Discovered after being wounded at the siege of Mons in 1691, she was received by Louis XIV at Versailles, where she was awarded the Cross of Saint Louis. Her portrait, engraved by Scotin, appears as the frontispiece. According to Jones, p. 7, the work is attributed to Eustache Le Noble. A fine copy in a contemporary binding.