M. de G*** - Avantures Secrettes, et Plaisantes - 1696

Adventures Secret and Pleasurable. Collected by Monsieur de G***. Brussels, at George de Backer, Bookseller, near the Prince of Berges Hotel, 1696

In-12 (13.5 × 8.5 cm approx), pp. (6), 136. With a fine copper-engraved frontispiece by Jacobus Harrewijn (signed “Harrewijn fecit”), typographic ornaments and silographic initials.

A collection of twenty-four gallant, spicy, and amusing tales set under the reign of Louis XIV. The author (attributed to De Graaft / Monsieur de G***) presents the stories as true events, of which he would have only altered the names and the identifying marks of the people involved to avoid harming their reputation (“On n’a changé que les noms & les autres marques qui pouvoient découvrir les Personnes…” – Avis preliminaire).

Among the adventures: the Salpêtrière treasure, the lovesick father-in-law, the begging friar, the betrayed physician, the geomantic knight, the offended damsel, the hidden lover, disguises, masquerades, deceptions, scenes of jealousy and often scandalous comic situations. It is a typical product of libertine and anecdotal literature of the late Seicento, halfway between the gallant count and the court and city chronicle.

Brussels edition of 1696 (contemporary with the Paris edition by J. Le Febvre, but furnished with the engraved title page that is missing in the French edition). It is considered the first Brussels edition of this work. Extremely rare copies: OCLC records only three copies in continental libraries. Cited by Barbier, Gay (Bibliographie des ouvrages relatifs à l’amour…), Hayn and Lever.

A work sought after by collectors of libertine literature, Seicento anecdote, and Brussels editions of George de Backer. The Harrewijn frontispiece (lively scene with a demon and a figure in period dress) constitutes another element of merit.

Contemporary vellum binding, with defects: small loss on the front board (as shown in the photo), corners and edges worn, but the binding still solid. Gathering a2-a10 loose and sewn to the lower part. Interior overall good, with the usual age browning and some marginal stains.

Complete copy of the text and frontispiece, with the described binding preservation limits.

Ideal for collectors of old books, French literature of the Grand Siècle, and rare editions.