Search Results: Titles starting with L 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

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

SINGLE-PUBLISHER SERIES IN UNIFORM CONTEMPORARY BINDINGS ¶ 16 volumes | 32mo | 122 x 67 mm ¶ Acquire instant erudition with this remarkably intact uniform set of classics. Includes: Ausonius, Opera, 1750; Cornelius Nepos, Vitae excellentium imperatorum, 1745; Epictetus, Enchiridion, 1750 (with Cebes of Thebes, Tabula, Demophilus, Similitudines, and Democrates, Aureae Sententiae); Florus, Rerum Romanarum libri IV, 1736 (Waesberge, Wetstein, and Smith, with notes by Johannes Isacius Pontanus); Horace, Opera, 1743 (from the edition of Daniel Heinsius and Tannegui Lefebvre, with variant readings from Richard Bentley and Nicolas Sanadon); Julius Caesar, Opera, 1746; Justin, Historia Philippicae, 1722 (from the edition of Joannes Georgius Graevius); Juvenal and Persius, Satyrae, 1735; Ovid, Opera, 1751 (in three volumes); Plautus, Comoediae, 1721 (from the edition of Joannes Fredericus Gronovius); Sallust, Opera, 1747; Tacitus, Opera, 1734 (Janssonius-Waesberge); Terence, Comoediae sex, 1755;… Read More

JESUIT BUTTER SELLER SATIRE | MARIE DE GOURNAY ATTACKED --- 29, [3]; 15, [1] p. | 8vo | A-D^4; A-B^4 | 169 x 104 mm --- Both are among several editions published in 1610, each boasting a Dutch translation too, all part of a Protestant-Jesuit pamphlet war that accelerated after the 1610 assassination of Henri IV. Our Le fleau is not the 1610 Paris Rousselet edition, nor the 1610 Amsterdam Colin edition, nor the 1610 edition "after the Paris copy" (this also included in the 1611 Recueil de plusieurs escrits publiez). We wonder if it might match OCLC 1055688964, which lacks a title page, and/or the 15-page edition at the Cantonal and University Library of Lausanne, which also seems to lack a title. ¶ Dressed up as a satirical thank-you note from the guild of Paris butter sellers, the anti-Jesuit Le remerciment attacks Louis de Montgommery and his Le fleau, which itself had attacked the anonymous Anti-Cotton, "the most forceful of the anti-Jesuitical pamphlets" (Rothrock). While Henri… Read More

MARIE DE COTTEBLANCHE TRANSLATES SCIENCE --- [3], 5-661, [11]; [20], 422, [22] p. | 8vo | a-z^8 A-T^8; *^8 **^2 a-z^8 A-D^8 E^6 | 168 x 106 mm --- An early French translation of the Spanish humanist's encyclopedic collection of essays (Silva de varia lección), popular throughout Europe, here with the first edition of Du Verdier's continuation and imitation. Both are without any real order or structure, reminiscent of Aulus Gellius's Attic Nights, and cover topics ranging from the Amazons to snow to the end of the world. While the two works are often cataloged separately, the title of the former clearly suggests the latter was meant to accompany it. USTC 51616 records a 1576 Du Verdier, whose reported existence appears to stem from Brunet's citation. Baudrier, however, has this to say: "Du Verdier cites, among his own works [Du Verdier himself was a bibliographer], under the date 1576, Les diverses leçons. The dedication being dated 11 March 1577, we believe it's an error of the… Read More

[63] of [64] leaves (without final blank) | 8vo | a-g^8 h^8(-h8) | 196 x 136 mm ---- An early edition of the sixth-century pope's tremendously influential guide to priestly conduct, "a work which in its practical theology remained almost unique in the history of Christian literature until the modern period. While it may seem natural today to consider such pastoral care a normal part of the role of the Christian priesthood, Gregory was among the first to insist on its centrality and theorize about its practice. With its gentleness and psychological sensitivity, Gregory's Rule of Pastoral Care rightly deserves its place among the Christian classics" (Neil and Dal Santo). ¶ The author broadly covers the cleric's responsibilities and frequently grounds his guidance in scripture (our edition includes biblical citations in the margin). There's little earth-shattering in his advice: demonstrate virtue, be humble and genuine, don't obsess over status and power, don't focus too much on pleasing others,… 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