81

CHODERLOS DE LACLOS.

Dangerous Liaisons.

London, 1796 (ca. 1812). 

The item was sold for 505

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Dangerous Liaisons.

London, 1796 (ca. 1812). 

2 volumes in-8, frontispiece, 415 pp., 7 plates and (3) folios including the frontispiece, 398 pp., 6 plates. Contemporary mottled fawn sheepskin, plain spine with decoration, red title label and green volume number, gilt scrolls framing the covers, marbled edges (spine slightly faded, lower corners very slightly rubbed, a few discreet spots of oxidation).

Cohen, p. 235.

A facsimile of the famous original illustrated edition of 1796, here in its period binding.

Printed around 1812 (with the wavy line on the title page and the publisher’s initials engraved in dotted lines beneath the scenes, distinguishing it from the 1796 edition), the plates have been retouched by Delvaux whilst retaining the pagination of the 1796 edition.

The illustrations consist of 15 beautiful engravings, some of which are free adaptations, including a frontispiece in each volume, engraved on copper after drawings by Fragonard the Younger, Monnet (1732–1816) and Mademoiselle Gérard (1770–1837), who were commissioned to provide the illustrations for this epistolary novel in 1796. These were subsequently interpreted by Baquoy, Bertaux and Dupréel, Godefroy, Langlois, Le Mire, Lingée, Patas, Pauquet, Simonet and Trière. 

Two beautiful frontispieces, particularly theatrical and dramatic in style, form part of this iconographic series, considered the most accomplished of the 18th century for this text.