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LETTRES D'AMOUR D'UNE RELIGIEUSE PORTUGAISE.
(La Haye: Abraham de Hondt & Jacob van Ellinkhuysen, 1693). 140 x 75 mm. (5 1/2 x 3"). 346 pp. Translated by Guilleragues.
Attractive contemporary speckled calf, raised bands, spine gilt in compartments with central gilt tool surrounded by gilt rules and tendrils, gilt lettering, all edges speckled red (expert repairs to spine ends and perhaps to corners). With woodcut initials, tailpieces, and frontispiece of a nun at a writing desk. Front pastedown with ink signature of Martin Bowes. Brunet III, 1031; see also: Barbier II, 1286. Joints and corners a little worn, but the binding otherwise in excellent condition; just a hint of browning along a couple edges, but A REMARKABLY BRIGHT, FRESH, AND CLEAN COPY INTERNALLY.
This is a collection of passionate love letters purportedly written by a Portuguese nun, Mariana Alcoforado, to her French lover, Noël Bouton de Chamilly. First published in 1669, the letters express profound longing, heartbreak, and emotional intensity. Although the work originally included just five letters, the racy content raised quite a sensation, and the book proved so popular that it went through several expanded editions that included newly "discovered" missives. The present edition includes a total of 12 epistles by our nun and 11 responses from her lover, as well as another series of "tender and passionate" love letters between a couple referred to only as "la présidente F. à M. Le baron de B." Though the original work is now widely believed to be a piece of fiction written by the supposed translator, French diplomat Gabriel Joseph de Lavergne, viscomte de Guilleragues (1628-84), it is still considered to be a very important epistolary novel, providing insight into the emotional landscape of the time, and influencing numerous adaptations and imitations in literature. Some importance of the work can be seen in the fact that copies of the first edition consistently bring substantial prices at auction (more than $25,000 three times since 2010.) The early ownership inscription on the pastedown belongs to Martin Bowes (1670-1726), a barrister and fellow of the Royal Society. (ST19567-153)
Price: $950.00