Le Sage - Œuvres choisies - 1783
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Selected by Ilaria Colombo
Specialist in old books, specialising in theological disputes since 1999.
Estimate € 600 - € 1,500
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Le Sage’s Œuvres choisies, a 15‑volume illustrated leather‑bound edition from 1783, presents the full works including Le Diable boiteux and Gil Blas with circa 30 engraved plates, in French as the original language.
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Description from the seller
THE LIMPING DEVIL, GIL BLAS, AND THE THEATER OF THE WORLD: THE GREAT ILLUSTRATED COLLECTOR’S EDITION OF LESAGE
A refined and complete eighteenth-century collection of the principal works of Alain-René Lesage, the author who transformed the French novel into an ironic machine capable of unmasking society, its vices and its illusions. This elegant 15-volume series brings together the writer’s most celebrated narrative and theatrical works, including Le Diable boiteux, Gil Blas de Santillane, Guzman d’Alfarache and the Théâtre de la Foire, in an illustrated typographic edition of great charm. The rich iconographic apparatus, with about 30 off-text copper-engraved plates, amplifies the theatrical, satirical and libertine dimension of the work, turning the collection into one of the most interesting examples of late eighteenth-century French narrative publishing.
MARKET VALUE
Complete illustrated collections of Lesage’s works from the eighteenth century are increasingly difficult to find in complete and homogeneous form. Sets in 15 volumes with uniform bindings and a preserved engraving appendix generally fetch prices between 1,500 and 3,500 euros, with higher valuations for particularly fresh copies, complete with plates and period bindings.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION AND CONDITION
15 volumes. Full morocco bindings and marbled paper, smooth gilt-decorated spines with title and numbering in gilt. Typographic frontispieces, numerous out-of-text copper engravings, portraits and theatre plates. Illustrative material comprising about 30 copper-engraved plates. Paper with natural browning and foxing, signs of use. In antique books, with a multi-century history, some imperfections may be present, not always noted in the description.
FULL TITLE AND AUTHOR
Œuvres choisies de Le Sage, avec figures.
Amsterdam, et se trouve à Paris, Rue et Hôtel Serpente, 1783.
Alain-René Lesage.
CONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE
With Lesage, the French novel definitively enters modernity. Le Diable boiteux introduces a satirical gaze capable of “lifting the rooftops of houses” and exposing the truth behind the urban society’s façade: greed, adultery, ambition, vanity and deceit become narrative material. Gil Blas, instead, constitutes one of the great models of the European picaresque novel, anticipating the psychological realism of the nineteenth century. This collection testifies to the literary and theatrical taste of prerevolutionary France: the engravings emphasize the scenic character of the works and restore the ambiguous and brilliant world of the ancien régime, suspended between comedy, moral satire and refined libertinism.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR
Alain-René Lesage was born in Sarzeau, Brittany, in 1668 and died in Boulogne in 1747. Novelist, playwright and translator, he was one of the leading French authors of the eighteenth century. Influenced by Spanish picaresque fiction, he managed to transform it into a modern form of social critique and psychological observation. His works profoundly influenced European novel-writing, from Fielding to Smollett to Diderot.
PRINTING HISTORY AND CIRCULATION
Lesage’s works were reprinted innumerable times between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, often in elegant illustrated editions aimed at the European aristocratic and bourgeois public. The typographic indications “Amsterdam” were frequently used by French publishers of the period, for commercial reasons as well as to circumvent censorship restrictions. The Hôtel Serpente editions are today particularly sought after for their typographic and iconographic quality.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES
Quérard, La France littéraire, V, pp. 189-205.
Barbier, Dictionnaire des ouvrages anonymes, II.
Cioranescu, Bibliographie de la littérature française du XVIIIe siècle, nn. relatifs a Lesage.
Catalogue général BnF, notices relative alle Œuvres choisies de Le Sage, édition de 1783.
WorldCat, censimenti internazionali delle edizioni Amsterdam / Hôtel Serpente.
Cohen-de Ricci, Guide de l’amateur de livres à gravures du XVIIIe siècle.
Hoefer, Nouvelle biographie générale, voce “Lesage”.
DBF – Dictionnaire de Biographie Française, voce “Le Sage, Alain-René”.
Seller's Story
Luxury Books: Your Go-To Guide for Nabbing Literary Treasures!
Embarking on the thrilling journey of collecting rare and timeless printed works? Here's your snappy rundown, "The Collector's Cheat Sheet," to ensure you're not just flipping pages but stacking up the value:
1. Edition and Rarity: Rarity is the name of the game. First editions, limited printings, and books flaunting unique features like eye-catching illustrations or mind-blowing bindings? Consider them the VIPs of the collector's world.
2. Condition & Dimension: Picture this – a book in mint condition, untouched by the woes of wear and tear. Now, flip the script: wear, foxing, discoloration – they're the villains here. And don't forget to size up the dimensions, because a book's size matters in the collector's universe.
3. Authenticity: In a world of replicas and forgeries, verifying a book's authenticity is your superhero move. Expert examination and authentication – your trusty sidekicks in this quest.
4. Provenance: Who owned it before you? If the book has hobnobbed with famous figures or danced through historical events, its value skyrockets. Every book has a story, but some have blockbuster tales.
5. Demand and Market Trends: Think of book values as the stock market of the literary world. Stay savvy on collector trends and market shifts to ride the waves of value.
6. Subject Matter: Some topics are like fine wine – they get better with time. Dive into subjects with a timeless appeal or ride the wave of emerging cultural and historical relevance.
7. Binding and Design: Beauty is more than skin deep. Intricate bindings, stunning covers, and illustrations – these are the accessories that make a book runway-ready in the collector's eyes.
8. Association Copies: Books with a personal touch – whether it's a connection to the author or a famous personality – elevate the historical vibes. A book with a backstory? Count us in.
9. Investment Potential: Passion is the engine, but some collectors eye future returns. Keep in mind, though, that the book market can be as unpredictable as a plot twist.
10. Expert Advice: New to the game? Don't play solo. Seek wisdom from the book gurus, hit up book fairs, and join collector communities. We at Luxury Books are the Yodas of the rare book galaxy, helping you build collections that scream sophistication and cultural clout.
Because collecting rare books isn't just about dollar signs – it's a journey of preserving heritage and embracing literary treasures. Happy collecting!
Translated by Google TranslateTHE LIMPING DEVIL, GIL BLAS, AND THE THEATER OF THE WORLD: THE GREAT ILLUSTRATED COLLECTOR’S EDITION OF LESAGE
A refined and complete eighteenth-century collection of the principal works of Alain-René Lesage, the author who transformed the French novel into an ironic machine capable of unmasking society, its vices and its illusions. This elegant 15-volume series brings together the writer’s most celebrated narrative and theatrical works, including Le Diable boiteux, Gil Blas de Santillane, Guzman d’Alfarache and the Théâtre de la Foire, in an illustrated typographic edition of great charm. The rich iconographic apparatus, with about 30 off-text copper-engraved plates, amplifies the theatrical, satirical and libertine dimension of the work, turning the collection into one of the most interesting examples of late eighteenth-century French narrative publishing.
MARKET VALUE
Complete illustrated collections of Lesage’s works from the eighteenth century are increasingly difficult to find in complete and homogeneous form. Sets in 15 volumes with uniform bindings and a preserved engraving appendix generally fetch prices between 1,500 and 3,500 euros, with higher valuations for particularly fresh copies, complete with plates and period bindings.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION AND CONDITION
15 volumes. Full morocco bindings and marbled paper, smooth gilt-decorated spines with title and numbering in gilt. Typographic frontispieces, numerous out-of-text copper engravings, portraits and theatre plates. Illustrative material comprising about 30 copper-engraved plates. Paper with natural browning and foxing, signs of use. In antique books, with a multi-century history, some imperfections may be present, not always noted in the description.
FULL TITLE AND AUTHOR
Œuvres choisies de Le Sage, avec figures.
Amsterdam, et se trouve à Paris, Rue et Hôtel Serpente, 1783.
Alain-René Lesage.
CONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE
With Lesage, the French novel definitively enters modernity. Le Diable boiteux introduces a satirical gaze capable of “lifting the rooftops of houses” and exposing the truth behind the urban society’s façade: greed, adultery, ambition, vanity and deceit become narrative material. Gil Blas, instead, constitutes one of the great models of the European picaresque novel, anticipating the psychological realism of the nineteenth century. This collection testifies to the literary and theatrical taste of prerevolutionary France: the engravings emphasize the scenic character of the works and restore the ambiguous and brilliant world of the ancien régime, suspended between comedy, moral satire and refined libertinism.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR
Alain-René Lesage was born in Sarzeau, Brittany, in 1668 and died in Boulogne in 1747. Novelist, playwright and translator, he was one of the leading French authors of the eighteenth century. Influenced by Spanish picaresque fiction, he managed to transform it into a modern form of social critique and psychological observation. His works profoundly influenced European novel-writing, from Fielding to Smollett to Diderot.
PRINTING HISTORY AND CIRCULATION
Lesage’s works were reprinted innumerable times between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, often in elegant illustrated editions aimed at the European aristocratic and bourgeois public. The typographic indications “Amsterdam” were frequently used by French publishers of the period, for commercial reasons as well as to circumvent censorship restrictions. The Hôtel Serpente editions are today particularly sought after for their typographic and iconographic quality.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES
Quérard, La France littéraire, V, pp. 189-205.
Barbier, Dictionnaire des ouvrages anonymes, II.
Cioranescu, Bibliographie de la littérature française du XVIIIe siècle, nn. relatifs a Lesage.
Catalogue général BnF, notices relative alle Œuvres choisies de Le Sage, édition de 1783.
WorldCat, censimenti internazionali delle edizioni Amsterdam / Hôtel Serpente.
Cohen-de Ricci, Guide de l’amateur de livres à gravures du XVIIIe siècle.
Hoefer, Nouvelle biographie générale, voce “Lesage”.
DBF – Dictionnaire de Biographie Française, voce “Le Sage, Alain-René”.
Seller's Story
Luxury Books: Your Go-To Guide for Nabbing Literary Treasures!
Embarking on the thrilling journey of collecting rare and timeless printed works? Here's your snappy rundown, "The Collector's Cheat Sheet," to ensure you're not just flipping pages but stacking up the value:
1. Edition and Rarity: Rarity is the name of the game. First editions, limited printings, and books flaunting unique features like eye-catching illustrations or mind-blowing bindings? Consider them the VIPs of the collector's world.
2. Condition & Dimension: Picture this – a book in mint condition, untouched by the woes of wear and tear. Now, flip the script: wear, foxing, discoloration – they're the villains here. And don't forget to size up the dimensions, because a book's size matters in the collector's universe.
3. Authenticity: In a world of replicas and forgeries, verifying a book's authenticity is your superhero move. Expert examination and authentication – your trusty sidekicks in this quest.
4. Provenance: Who owned it before you? If the book has hobnobbed with famous figures or danced through historical events, its value skyrockets. Every book has a story, but some have blockbuster tales.
5. Demand and Market Trends: Think of book values as the stock market of the literary world. Stay savvy on collector trends and market shifts to ride the waves of value.
6. Subject Matter: Some topics are like fine wine – they get better with time. Dive into subjects with a timeless appeal or ride the wave of emerging cultural and historical relevance.
7. Binding and Design: Beauty is more than skin deep. Intricate bindings, stunning covers, and illustrations – these are the accessories that make a book runway-ready in the collector's eyes.
8. Association Copies: Books with a personal touch – whether it's a connection to the author or a famous personality – elevate the historical vibes. A book with a backstory? Count us in.
9. Investment Potential: Passion is the engine, but some collectors eye future returns. Keep in mind, though, that the book market can be as unpredictable as a plot twist.
10. Expert Advice: New to the game? Don't play solo. Seek wisdom from the book gurus, hit up book fairs, and join collector communities. We at Luxury Books are the Yodas of the rare book galaxy, helping you build collections that scream sophistication and cultural clout.
Because collecting rare books isn't just about dollar signs – it's a journey of preserving heritage and embracing literary treasures. Happy collecting!
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Number of books
15
Subject
Theatre
Book title
Œuvres choisies
Author/ Illustrator
Le Sage
Condition
Good
Publication year oldest item
1783
Height
202 mm
Edition
1st Edition Thus, Illustrated Edition
Width
129 mm
Language
French
Original language
Yes
Publisher
Amsterdam, et se trouve à Paris, Rue et Hôtel Serpente, 1783
Binding/ Material
Leather
Extras
Tipped in plates
Number of pages
7000
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