PRÉVOST (Antoine-François). Histoire du chevalier DesGrieux, - Lot 63

PRÉVOST (Antoine-François). Histoire du chevalier DesGrieux, et de Manon Lescaut. ÀAmsterdam, aux dépens de la Compagnie, 1753. 2volumes in-12 (composition in small in-12 format reprinted in large in-12 format), (4including the 2aux versos blank)-302-(2dincluding the second blank) +(4including the 2aux versos blank)-252pp., red morocco, cloisonné and fleuronné ribbed spine, triple gilt fillet framing the boards with the words "Valentine" gilt on the first boards, filleted edges, gilt inner lace, gilt edges over marbling; half-title and verso of the title of the first volume a little stained (Trautz-Bauzonnet). Volumes housed in a red morocco case lined with velvet, in imitation of books; spines faded. Partly original edition. Abbé révost has made modifications and additions, including an entire episode, that of the Italian prince. Copy with 2 inserts: ff.N3 of vol.I, B1, I1 and L3 of vol.II. Beautiful copper-engraved illustration: 8 plates out of text, i.e. 6 plates by Jacques-Jean Pasquier and 2 plates by Jacques-Philippe LeBas after Hubert-François Bourguignon d'Anville dit Gravelot; with 2 copper-engraved banners in the text by Jacques-Jean Pasquier (one same composition repeated). This is the second printing of the plates, after contrast modifications which "have markedly improved the quality of the engravings" (Max Brun, n°XXXV). A rare item. A superb copy. Provenance: Valentine Delessert (ex-libris gilt on first boards and ex-libris vignettes on first flyleaves, copy cited by Max Brun p.355 of his bibliography). Granddaughter of financier Jean-Joseph de Laborde and daughter of politician and historian Alexandre de Laborde, Valentine de Laborde (1806-1894) married politician Gabriel Delessert. She maintained an important salon under the July Monarchy, and, for a time the mistress of Prosper Mérimée who introduced her to the Montijo family, she became an intimate of Empress Eugénie.