Comte de Tressan / Marillier, Delvaux, de Launay, e.a. - Œuvres Choisies. Avec Figures [Roland furieux, Roland amoureux, Amadis de Gaule] - 1787-1791

Original collective edition published in 12 volumes, octavo, illustrated with a frontispiece portrait by Borel engraved by de Launay and 20 fine engravings by Marillier engraved by Delvaux, Ghendt, Croutelle, Patas, young Langlois, de Monchy, and de Launay.

The last two volumes include the posthumous works of the Count of Tressan, which begin with a 67-page biography. An academician, he was one of the first restorers of Romance literature; he translated 'Roland Furieux' and chivalric novels. He was a poet, physicist, and frequented the Tencin salon.

Well-established copy in 12 beautiful bindings in full mottled Morocco leather, with round backs richly decorated with small gold tools in a grotesque style, floral motifs, fillets, and title and volume labels in red and green leather, gilt initials, and marbled edges.

Decorative set. Strong bindings despite rubbing on the covers, spines, and minor leather losses on some volumes. Overall clean interior, careful printing on laid paper, a small tear on one page, and scattered light foxing without severity. Very fine impression of the engravings. A beautiful copy.

The Count of Tressan did much, through his adaptations, for the rehabilitation of the Middle Ages and Renaissance literature (that inherited from the 15th century). It is clear that at the end of the 18th century, these works would have been unreadable to the public. This interest in the Middle Ages would fully emerge with Romanticism, as the Empire had revived the taste for Antiquity.

Here is the content of the first 10 volumes, the last two are composed of various works (letters, essays, etc.): vol. 1-2. Free translation of Amadis de Gaule, vol. 1-2 -- vol. 3. Free translation of Amadis de Gaule, vol. 3. Excerpt from Roland l'amoureux by Matheo-Maria Boyardo, Count of Scandiano -- vol. 4-6. Furioso Roland, heroic poem by Ariosto. vol. 7-10. Collection of excerpts from chivalric novels: 7. Preliminary discourse. Tristan de Léonois. Artus de Bretagne. Flores and Blanche-Fleur. Cléomades and Claremonde. Roman de la Rose. Pierre de Provence and the beautiful Maguelone. 8. The flower of battles. Huon de Bordeaux. Guérin de Montglave. 9. Dom Ursino the Navarin. Little Jehan de Saintré. Gerard de Nevers. 10. Research on the origin of novels invented before the Christian era. History of Rigda and Regner Lodbrog. Zélie, or The Ingenue.

Author: Louis-Élisabeth de La Vergne, Count of Tressan
Title: Selected Works of Count de Tressan + Posthumous Works
Publisher: Paris Desray 1791
12 volumes, octavo, approximately 400 pages each. French francs +20 plates (fully checked).