A Handsomely Bound Copy of the Best Edition of Gresset, With Moreau Plates in Two States and from Two Editions

OEUVRES DE GRESSET. [with] LE PARRAIN MAGNIFIQUE.

(FRENCH ILLUSTRATED BOOKS). (BINDINGS - BRANY). [GRESSET, JEAN-BAPTISTE-LOUIS].

(Paris: [Printed by P. Didot l'aîné for] Ant. Aug. Renouard, 1811). 212 x 130 mm. (8 1/4 x 5 1/4"). Two volumes.

LOVELY LATE 19TH CENTURY DARK BLUE MOROCCO, VERY ELABORATELY GILT, BY BRANY (stamp-signed on front turn-ins), covers with large, lacy central lozenge formed by floral tools, shells, volutes, stars, and other small tools, cornerpieces of similar style, raised bands, spine compartments with central quatrefoil containing a bird in flight, gilt lettering, turn-ins with floral gilt roll, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. WITH A TOTAL OF 28 FINE ENGRAVINGS: three engraved portraits, EIGHT ENGRAVED PLATES BY MOREAU LE JEUNE, BEFORE LETTERS, EACH PRESENT IN TWO STATES, and EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED WITH NINE PLATES from another edition showing different versions of the scenes, seven by Moreau le jeune (six, plus one in two states), one by Marillier, and one unsigned. A Large Paper Copy. Cohen-de Ricci 463; Vicaire III, 1131. Spines just slightly (and evenly) darkened, barely perceptible wear (that is expertly retouched) along front joints, trivial imperfections internally, otherwise quite a fine and handsome copy--clean, fresh, and bright internally, in lustrous bindings shining with gilt.

Produced by a bibliophile for bibliophiles, this is, in Brunet's opinion, the best and most complete edition of the works of Gresset, and our copy is offered with illustrations by Moreau le jeune in two states before letters, with additional engravings from two other editions of Gresset, and in elegant bindings. Jesuit poet Jean-Baptiste-Louis Gresset (1709-77) is best known for the first work here, the mock-heroic poem "Ver-Vert," which tells the story of a talented parrot, the pet of a convent who has learned to repeat prayers and other pious phrases. Its owners take the pet to another convent to show off the bird's prowess, but during the journey, the parrot picks up startling new vocabulary and arrives cursing and swearing, much to the consternation of the nuns who brought it. The accompanying illustrations by Moreau le jeune illustrate with considerable charm the parrot's fall from grace. We have the opportunity here to see two corresponding interpretations of the episodes by Moreau, as additional--sometimes quite different--plates by him from a 1794 Didot edition have been inserted in our copy. A book collector turned publisher, bookseller, and bibliographer, Antoine-Augustin Renouard (1765-1853) was known for his collaborations with Moreau le jeune and other talented illustrators, and for issuing his books in varying levels of luxury. According to Vicaire, the present work was offered with or without engravings, on "papier vélin satiné" with engravings, or, as here, on that smooth, satiny paper with the plates before letters--at four times the price of the basic edition. Jean-Michel Moreau, known as Moreau le Jeune (1741-1814), provided illustrations for Diderot's encyclopedia and engraved works for François Boucher, in addition to illustrating the works of Rousseau and Voltaire. According to the Getty Museum, "publishers sought him out for his powers of observation and ability to capture nuances of gesture, pose, and light." Ray says that the best work by Moreau "showed him to be the equal of the established rococo masters Boucher, Eisen, and Gravelot," and that in his heyday, "he carried all before him." Our set was bound by the Parisian artisan Brany, who was, according to Flety, active in the last third of the 19th century. The bindings here, featuring very elaborate, precise finishing, are exceptionally accomplished. (ST19793)

Price: $2,400.00