Paris, Bossange, Masson et Besson, 1806.
8 volumes 8vo of : I/ (2) ll., 6 portraits, xxxv pp., (1) l., clxiv pp., 334 pp., II/ (2) ll., 479 pp., III/ (2) ll., 478 pp., IV/ (2) ll., 494 pp., V/ (2) ll., 480 pp., VI/ (2) ll., 447 pp., VII/ (2) ll., 527 pp., VIII/ (2) ll., 536 pp., (1) l. of errata.
Full brown calf, borders with a design with a gilded vine around the covers, monogram P gilt-stamped in the center of the covers, flat spines richly gilt, red morocco lettering pieces, inner border, gilt edges. Contemporary armorial binding bearing the label of Baudet Relieur.
199 x 120 mm.
Famous revised and partly new edition, the first to be classified by chronological order.
“The most complete and best editions of Madame de Sévigné are the nineteenth century editions” Tchemerzine, V, 829.
The notes are far more accurate that the ones found in previous editions; they complement what the letters only give a glimpse of, and they lift the anonymity of the names that were only indicated before by initials, another important improvement is the addition of an extended table of contents.
Precious and beautiful copy printed on Angouleme Paper, bound in an elegant binding bearing the monogram of Pauline Bonaparte and illustrated with 2 portraits as frontispieces, 4 portraits out of text and an example of the writing of the author.
Pauline Bonaparte (1780-1825), born Maria-Paoletta, is the second daughter of Charles Bonaparte and Letizia Ramolino. Her remarkable beauty gives her numerous suitors from her adolescence. But Napoleon decides to marry her with the brilliant general Victor-Emmanuel Leclerc in 1797. Pauline will be deeply touched when he dies in 1802. Napoleon then decides to marry her in 1803 with the prince Camille Borghèse, head of one of the most important families of Rome.
Pauline will be the only one to share the fate of the Emperor when he declines. She will go into exile with him to Elba and wants to be on his side at St Helena. She will finally die in Florence next to her husband in June 1825.
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