259 - POULLAIN DE SAINTFOIX, Germain de. Historical Essays on Paris.

POULLAIN DE SAINTFOIX, Germain de. Historical Essays on Paris. The most complete edition of this collection of observations and anecdotes on Paris during the Ancien Régime, in beautiful, uniform bindings from the period. Paris, Veuve Duchesne, 1776. 6 in-12 volumes, full fawn glazed calfskin, smooth spine decorated with gilt fleurons, title label in burgundy or brown morocco and volume number label in green morocco, cold-tooled fillet framing the covers, gilt fillet on the edges, marbled edges, marbled paper endpapers and linings (contemporary binding). 370; 335; 374; 235; 239 and 139; 487 pp., title fleurons, headpieces, and initials. Bindings slightly rubbed, one split on the spine of Volume 1, a few holes on the spines and on the fore-edges, 2 cap bands worn down. Very rare foxing; browning on the upper margins of Volume 4. Fifth edition—the most complete—of this erudite and anecdotal stroll through Paris during the Ancien Régime, penned by Germain-François Poullain de Saint-Foix (1698–1776), a French man of letters who served for thirty-six years in the Musketeers and wrote some twenty comedies beginning in 1740. Far from being a mere topographical guide, the work links each street, monument, or neighborhood to its historical events, legends, customs, and notable figures. It is presented here in its complete 6-volume set, though without the author’s portrait on the frontispiece. “Ex-bibliotheca du Château de Nointel” on each endpaper. A fine set, very decorative.