448 - LESAGE (Alain-René). The Story of Gil Blas of Santillane. Paris: Les Libraires Associés, 1747.

LESAGE (Alain-René). The Story of Gil Blas of Santillane. Paris: Les Libraires Associés, 1747. 4 in-12 volumes, red morocco leather, smooth spines richly decorated, triple gilt fillet framing the covers, gilt fillet on the edges, gilt interior lace, gilt edges (contemporary binding). Definitive, major edition, revised by the author and published in the year of his death, upon which all future editions would be based. It is illustrated with 32 unsigned etchings by Dubercelle. This rare and sought-after edition should not be confused with the counterfeit published on the same date. Indeed, according to Cohen, there are two editions bearing the same date. The original can be distinguished from the counterfeit by the fact that the illustrations are reversed in the latter. Thus, in the first illustration of the first volume, the canon should be on the left, whereas he is on the right in the copy. Furthermore, the printed ornament at the top of the first page depicts a temple in the original edition and an ornamental design in the counterfeit. Our copy does indeed possess both characteristics of the original. According to Brunet, this now rare edition contains numerous corrections and substantial additions by the author, amounting to no fewer than one hundred pages; it must therefore be regarded as the first reliable edition of Le Sage’s masterpiece. A precious copy in period morocco leather.