Académie Française - Recueil de plusieurs pièces d'éloquence et de poésie présentées à l'Académie Françoise pour le Prix - 1675

This is a rare first edition from 1675 of the annual collection of eloquence and poetry presented to the Académie Française for competition. This collection represents the cultural flowering of the reign of Louis XIV (The Sun King), during the golden age of French literature and rhetoric.

The book was officially published by Pierre Le Petit, who held the prestigious position of "Imprimeur ordinaire du Roy et de l'Académie Françoise" (Official Printer to the King and the French Academy). Pierre Le Petit was one of the most important and respected printers of the 17th century in France, holding the exclusive privilege to print the Academy's official documents.

The collection contains:

"Discours qui a remporté le Prix d'Eloquence" - The winning discourse for the Prize of Eloquence, judged by the Académie Française (with an epigraph from Luke 10: "Martha, Martha solicita es...")

Odes and Poetry dedicated to King Louis XIV - Celebrating his patronage of arts and letters

"Pour le Roy" (For the King) - Prayers and poems honoring the monarch

Various pieces of eloquence and poetry - From contributors to the Academy's annual competition

Decorative headpieces and ornamental initials - Typical of 17th-century French printing

This work is a valuable testament to French intellectual and literary history during the reign of the Sun King, showcasing the highest standards of rhetoric, poetry, and printing craftsmanship of the period.

About the Publisher: Pierre Le Petit
Pierre Le Petit (flourished 17th century) was among the most distinguished printers of Paris. As the official printer ("Imprimeur ordinaire") of both the King and the Académie Française, he was entrusted with publishing the most important and authoritative documents of the realm. The inclusion of "AVEC PRIVILEGE DE SA MAJESTE" (With Royal Privilege) demonstrates this work's official status and significance.

Current Binding: 19th-century professional rebinding

Boards: Decorative marbled paper (typical handmade marbling in blues, reds, yellows, and golds)

Spine: Blue cloth

Condition: Well-preserved, showing characteristic wear appropriate to age

CONDITION REPORT
Overall Condition: GOOD

✓ Text block completely intact - All 374 pages present and readable

✓ Authentic 17th-century printing - Original typography, decorative elements

✓ Decorative headpieces and initials - Beautifully preserved

✓ Quality 19th-century rebinding - Professionally executed, well-preserved

✓ Historical provenance marks - Old manuscript inscription "1675" on endpaper (collector's mark)

Condition Issues (Minor):
Foxing: Light to moderate age spots on several pages, typical for 17th-century paper

Light dampstaining: Faint water marks on a few pages, consistent with age and storage history

Paper edges: Minor wear on page edges, appropriate to a 350-year-old book

Marbled boards: Light wear to marbled paper edges from handling, slight fading consistent with age