Search Results: Authors starting with M from Patrick Olson Rare Books

A WOMAN WRITES ROMANCE --- [12], 451, [3] p. | 12mo | *^6 A-S^12 T^12(-T12) | 147 x 81 mm --- First Italian edition of this popular, path-breaking novel, "one of the most important novels in the French tradition" (DeJean). And here an early edition, preceded only by the Paris first edition of 1678, English editions in 1679 and 1688, and a second French edition of 1689. Many more editions followed, as the work remained popular well into the 19th century. Commonly cited as one of the earliest psychological novels, and perhaps the first historical novel, the story is set among the court of Henri II and employs as characters some of history's true courtiers. ¶ The plot conforms to many prevailing social norms, but not without subverting others. A mother brings her daughter, the future Madame de Clèves, to court in search of a good marriage. Her match accomplished, if not quite as estimable as hoped, she falls in love with the Duke of Nemours—who is notably not her husband. The Prince of… Read More

UPSTAGED BY THE LEADING LADY --- [8], 80 p. | 8vo | pi4 A-K^4 | 143 x 92 mm --- An early edition of this dramatized hagiography of Saint Alexius of Rome. The 1645 edition is typically considered the first, though the Bibliothèque nationale does report a 1644. Others appeared at least in 1649, 1653, and 1658; another 1661 edition appeared at Troyes; and several more followed through at least 1692. The prolific French playwright might best be known for his sequel to Corneille's Le Cid. His dramatization here follows the traditional Greek legend of the saint, whom he betroths to one Olympie. After receiving a call from the Virgin Mary, Alexis abandons Olympie on their wedding night to pursue a life of Christian devotion. He returns a beggar, remaining incognito even to Olympie. His true identity is discovered only after his death, Olympie joining him shortly thereafter. ¶ The play takes some leaps of logic, which seem to have little bothered the author. "Desfontaines was concerned above all… Read More

SOURCE FOR MIXED RACE MEDICI DUKE | CURIOUS TRADE LABELS? ¶ 2 volumes | v. 1: [3], VI-XI, [1], 635, [1] p. | v. 2: [3], 6-246, 257-555, [1] p. | 246 x 152 mm ¶ These comprise volumes 36 and 37 of the Biblioteca enciclopedica italiana series. Includes indexes and a preface by Achille Mauri. ¶ Bernardo Segni (1504-1558) and Giovanni Battista Adriani (1511-1579) were both Florentine historians. The former composed his Storie fiorentine in the later years of his life, though it wasn't published until 1723, and the latter wrote an Istoria de' suoi tempi posthumously published in 1583. Segni's history provides some details of the life of Alessandro Medici, Duke of Florence, son of a slave girl, murdered in 1537. The present compilation also includes Segni's Vita di Niccolo Capponi. --- CONDITION: Contemporary half vellum and blue pulled paste paper, with a decorative printed panel affixed to each board (one with a lyre, the other bearing a jug); leather labels and some gold tooling to the… Read More

MADAME DE VILLENEUVE'S INSPIRATION | ILLICIT LIT RECOVERED FROM A COMMON SAMMELBAND 285, [3] p. | 12mo | A-M^12 | 134 x 76 mm; [2], 222, 22, [2] p. | 12mo | pi1 A-V^6 X^4(-X4) | 132 x 76 mm L'Amoureux Africain: Probably the third edition, preceded by the first of 1671 and a 1674 English translation, followed by many more, and not to be confused with the author's L'heureux esclave. Philippe Le Barbu was a fictitious name sometimes used by Abraham Wolfgang, doubtless to reduce the risk of distributing illicit literature, as was the case with the ubiquitous Pierre du Marteau imprints. ¶ Set in the late 16th century, this bestseller "is a typical example for the erotic exoticism of the French Baroque novel and was later adapted by Madame de Villedieu's Les Nouvelles africaines (1673). L'Amoureux Africain tells the story of the French nobleman Albirond, who, following his involvement in an illegal duel, is forced to leave France and to enter the 'condition of a wandring Knight,' as the… Read More

LATEST MARITIME ADVANCEMENTS MADE USEFUL ¶ 136 p. | [A]^4 B-R^4 | 4to | 206 x 142 mm ¶ The 1761 edition of this annual almanac for sailors, which had begun in 1676. Numerous diagrams throughout, plus four woodcut illustrations providing instruction in the use of the quadrant and compass (p. 20, 63, 64, and 66). With tables for the phases of the moon, tides, the sun's position, latitude and longitude of countless destinations, and more. Publisher's ads on verso of the half-title. ¶ "Soon after the middle of the eighteenth century, improvements in the design and construction of astronomical and nautical instruments, coupled with the increased accuracy of tables of the Moon's motion, at last made the accurate determination of longitude at sea by lunar distance a practical possibility" (Forbes). This almanac, and others like it, placed this critical information in sailors' hands in a portable format. ¶ With three ink stamps on the half-title, accompanied by a printed explanation: "Stampt… Read More