Saint evremond

1699 · 69505 — à Paris: Chez Pierre Mortier 1699. Fine. Chez Pierre Mortier à Paris 1699 - 1700 10.50 x 15.60 cm 6 tomes en 3 volumes reliés New edition with the false imprint of Pierre Mortier probably published by Claude Barbin. The preface presents the five-volume edition; the sixth volume was published in 1700 and contains L'éloge et le portrait de Saint-Evremont Discours sur les critiques Apologie des oeuvres de Mr. de Saint-Evremont. It is rarely found with the series of the first five volumes. 6 title pages in red and black some with the sphere device others with the Amsterdam effigy. Good printing. Later 18th century binding in full glazed blonde calf. Spine with raised bands decorated with compartments featuring foliage in the corners and a fillet at the tail. Blonde calf title and volume labels. Head of the first volume partially worn. Small lack to 2 boards. 3 corners slightly bumped. Traces of rubbing particularly to the boards. The half-title of the first volume appears to be missing according to the collation of signatures. Only the half-titles of volumes 3 and 4 are present. Handsome copy particularly fresh. Charles Marguetel de Saint-Denis seigneur de Saint-Évremond 1614-1703 was a moralist and libertine critic; his rigor and critical independence anticipated the Enlightenment philosophers and he was perhaps the first author to make criticism a profession. He paid little attention to his writings which circulated mainly in manuscript during his lifetime. This edition which gathers various pieces by the author including numerous letters criticisms historical research and poetry is due to Abbé de Raguenet who completed the collection with maxims by La Rochefoucauld a piece by La Fontaine a letter by Corneille. The literary success of Saint-Évremond led writers to attribute numerous works to him such as these maxims by La Rochefoucauld noticeably different from recent editions by the same author. Chez Pierre Mortier hardcover