La Bruyère; Théophraste - Les Caractères de Théophraste, et de La Bruyère - 1765-1765

La Bruyère / Théophraste / Pierre Coste - Les Caractères - Paris, Hochereau & Panckoucke, 1765 - Magnificent full leather binding (uncut)

Description:
Author(s): Jean de La Bruyère / Théophraste (translated by La Bruyère)
Title: Les Caractères de Théophraste, et de La Bruyère. Avec des Notes par M. Coste. Nouvelle Édition.
Publisher / Printer: Paris, Chez Hochereau (Quai de Conty, au Phénix) & Panckoucke (au Parnasse)
Year: 1765 (M. DCC. LXV.)
Collation / Pages: viij, 484 pages. Complete.
Format & Dimensions: Large Quarto (in-4). About 29 x 22 cm. A feature of this exemplar is that it has remained largely untrimmed (non rogné), thus preserving the full original paper margins and measurements.

Binding: Contemporary full leather binding (calf leather) from the period on 5 genuine bands.
Details & Condition:

• Content: Rare Parisian joint edition of the two famous booksellers Hochereau and Panckoucke (prominent publishers of the Enlightenment). Includes translations of the ancient Greek characters by Theophrastus as well as La Bruyère’s own, sharp, satirical social criticism of the 17th century, masterfully annotated by the scholar Pierre Coste.

• Illustrations / Ornamentation: Decorative title page with an engraved vignette, beautiful ornamental and figurative headpieces (tailpieces) as well as artistic initials at the beginning of the main chapters.

• Binding condition: Beautiful, authentic condition. The spine is on the genuine bands richly ornamented with gold (floral and diamond motifs) and features a wine-red spine label with the gilt title. Corners and edges lightly rubbed, overall very solid and decorative.
• Interior condition: The paper is aged but in good condition, clean, with only minimal, charming patina/browning at the edges. No noticeable foxing.

• Special note for bibliophiles: The copy is largely untrimmed (non rogné). The paper edges are left original and uneven (témoins), which gives this volume its full, original paper size and a wonderful historical tactile feel – a rarity for leather bindings of this era.