BERRY (duchess of). - GÉRARD (Philippe-Louis).... - Lot 1 - Osenat

BERRY (duchess of). - GÉRARD (Philippe-Louis). Essay on the true principles, relative to our most important knowledge. Paris, J.-J. Blaise, 1826. 3 volumes in-8, (4)-xxiv-372 + (4)-331-(1 blank) + (4)-320 pp, tobacco calf, spine ribbed and decorated in cold with title and tomaison in gilt, cold palmettes and black fillet framing the boards with gilt corner fleurons and crowned figure "CM" in the center, cold decorated edges, black chain wheel framing the counterplates, marbled edges; some marginal wetness in the first volume, foxing (period binding). FIRST EDITION. 3 copper-engraved plates: a portrait by Claude-Marie-François Dien, and a facsimile of writing on 2 leaves by Félix-Antoine Dien. An essay on moral and natural philosophy by Abbé Gérard (1737-1813), which, like his successful novel Le Comte de Valmont, ou les Égaremens de la raison (1775-1778), is part of an apologetic approach in favor of religion in the face of the Enlightenment. EXAMPLE WITH THE CROWNED CHIFFRE OF THE DUCHESS OF BERRY (OHR, plate no. 2554, iron no. 6 in large format), with an ex-libris vignette of her castle of Rosny engraved with her coat of arms on the upper covers.