MOLIERE Lot n° 266

Works. Paris, s.n., 1734. 6 volumes in-4, red morocco, triple fillet, spine with 5 nicely decorated ribs, inside roulette wheel, gilt edges on marbling (contemporary binding). Cohen, 712 /// I. (3f.)-LXX-330 / II. (3f.)-446 / III. (3f.)-442 / IV. (3f.)-420 / V. (3f.)-618 / VI. (3f.)-554. One of the most beautiful books of the 18th century, containing 33 figures by Boucher, one of the painter's masterpieces, and engraved by Laurent Cars, 198 vignettes and culs-de-lampe, sometimes repeated, by Boucher, Blondel and Oppenord, engraved by Joullain and Laurent Cars, and a portrait of Molière by Coypel, engraved by Lépicié. Very nice copy of the first edition, with the word Comtesse in volume VI, and bound in red morocco of the time. Although the decoration of the irons is rigorously identical, volume V of this series seems to come from another copy. Only a careful examination can detect slight differences between the bindings, such as the patina of the skin or the lustre of the gold. At the very least, the copy is not a very fine copy. Minimal old restorations.