125 - SECRET SOCIETIES and miscellaneous. — A collection of about fifteen volumes, most of them bound.

SECRET SOCIETIES and miscellaneous. — A collection of about fifteen volumes, most of them bound. — DESCHAMPS (Nicolas). Secret Societies and Society, or A Philosophy of Contemporary History. Avignon, Seguin frères; Paris, Oudin frères, 1882 (vols. I–II), ibid., and Lyon, Librairie générale catholique et classique, [1883]. 3 volumes, large 8vo, half-percaline with chagrin finish, decorated with gilded Masonic motifs (modern binding). Sixth edition, “entirely revised and updated to reflect current events.” A critically oriented work, primarily devoted to Freemasonry in Europe and America. Provenance: historian Marcel Dunan, president of the Institut Napoléon from 1947 to 1974 (ex-libris vignette). — LE COUTEULX DE CANTELEU (Jean-Hector-Emmanuel). Political and Religious Sects and Secret Societies. An Essay on Their History from the Earliest Times to the French Revolution. Paris, Librairie académique, Didier et Cie, 1863. In-8, half-shagreen with floral embellishments; spine faded with traces of a label (contemporary binding). First edition. Provenance: Brazilian statesman and bibliophile Cândido Luiz Maria de Oliveira (1845–1919, bookplate vignettes). — STATUTES OF THE RELIGIOUS AND MILITARY ORDER OF THE TEMPLE, as established in Scotland; with an historical notice of the Order. Edinburgh: printed by authority of the Grand Conclave, 1843. In-4, Bradel binding in half-cloth, upper cover partially preserved; frontispiece restored on the reverse with adhesive tape (modern binding). First edition. Woodcut illustrations both as inserts and in the text. This corresponds to the period when, under the Grand Mastership of Admiral David Milne, the Order—as reestablished in 1804 in Edinburgh within a Masonic context—sought to be exclusively chivalric. — WIT (Johannes Ferdinand). Secret Memoirs Concerning the State of the Piedmontese Revolution, the Spirit Prevailing in Italy, and Its Secret Societies. Paris, A. Boulland, 1831. 2 parts in one in-8 volume, half-calf with braided edges; worn binding with the front cover coming loose (contemporary binding). First edition of the French translation of this work, originally published in Brunswick in 1827 under the title *Fragmente aus meinem Leben und meiner Zeit*. Rare; not held by the BnF. Provenance: L'Union Parfaite de la Persévérance Lodge (lithographed bookplate in the margin of the last page). Provenance: “Buloz” (handwritten bookplate on the title page). — ZACCONE (Pierre). History of Political and Religious Secret Societies. Paris, Henri Morel, 1847–1849. 5 volumes in-8, purple half-basane decorated with gilded floral interlacing; spines faded (contemporary binding). First edition of this work, subtitled “The Inquisition, the Jesuits, the Francs-Juges, the Templars, the Freemasons, the Council of Ten, the Carbonari, the Stranglers, etc.” Steel-engraved plates inserted separately from the text, some of which are hand-colored. Provenance: Louis Defruit (ex-libris vignette). — Etc.