Very fine copy in red morocco of the period with the arms of Pauline Borghese,
sister younger to Emperor Napoleon Ier.
Laplace, Pierre Antoine de. [Fielding, Henry]. Tom Jones or the Foundling, imitated from Fielding.
London [Paris], 1801.
4 volumes in-12 of: I/ (2) leaves, 239 pp., 3 plates out of text; II/ (2) leaves, 236 pp., 2 plates; III/ (2) leaves, 204 pp., 2 plates; IV/ 256 pp., 2 plates. Long-grain red morocco, gilt fillet framing the boards, crowned ‘P’ cipher in the center, smooth spines decorated, green tabby guards, gilt edges. Binding of the period.
133 x 78 mm.
Very beautiful illustrated edition of this French translation of Tom Jones given by Pierre Antoine de Laplace.
Cohen 395 and 599.
French translation of the English novel published in 1749 recounting the adventures of a ‘adventurer’ hero in the great tradition of the picaresque novels of the 17th century. Tom Jones is a good-natured young man without malice and his whole life illustrates the axiom dear to the 18th century that simple honesty, true kindness are the precious seeds of all virtues. However, Tom Jones is not a little saint; the bourgeois morality in the time of Fielding as in the time of Defoe is still largely only a facade. He has many dark and unedifying adventures, which are well in the morals of his century.
The illustration consists of nine plates engraved by Delignon et De Launay after Borel.
Very fine copy bound in red morocco of the period with the cipher of Pauline Borghese (1780-1825), Napoleon Bonaparte’s favorite sister.
The relationship between Pauline and Napoleon is marked by a deep bond of loyalty and kindness, unlike Napoleon’s other brothers and sisters. Being Napoleon’s greatest admirer, she always remained faithful to him.
Ex libris Horace Landau et Alexis de Redé.
