La Bruyère - Les Caractères de Theophraste - 1784

[LA BRUYÈRE, Jean de]
The Characters of Théophraste, with the Characters, or the Manners of this Century (3 complete volumes)
In London [Paris / counterfeit], 1784 (M. DCC. LXXXIV.)

Entirely complete in 3 volumes of the famous moral work by Jean de La Bruyère, preceded by Théophraste's Characters translated from Greek, and enriched with the detailed table of contents for each volume.

The first volume opens with an elegant engraved portrait of the author by Delvaux after nature (« Jean de La Bruyère de l'Académie Française, né en 1644, mort en 1696 ») framed in an allegorical medallion.

Edition said to be “London” dated 1784 (often printed in France under this fictitious address, very common in the 18th century to escape censorship or exclusive privileges).

Full antique roan leather with marbled endpapers, spine with smooth panels richly ornamented with gold motifs and fleurons, title and volume labels in red/brown morocco, marbled edges. Small losses or discreet wear to the heads and corners, but the whole remains very elegant, decorative and well harmonized.

Fresh, complete with the three volumes and the frontispiece engraved, clean paper with rare foxing.

Good copy.