Les Vies Des Dames Galantes. [Lives of the Gallant Ladies].

BRANTOME [PIERRE DE BOURDEILLE],.

$1,250.00

Item Number: 132808

Paris: Éditions de la Belle Etoile, 1938.

First edition of Brantôme’s sensational work on 17th century Parisian court life. Quarto, 2 volumes, original wrappers, illustrations in color by Jacques Touchet. One of 1250 numbered copies. this is number 940. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Rare, particularly so in the original wrappers.

French historian, soldier and biographer Pierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de Brantôme's works give a picture of the general court-life of the time, with its unblushing and undisguised profligacy. There is not an homme illustre or a dame galante in all his gallery of portraits who has not engaged in sexual immorality; and yet the whole is narrated with the most complete unconsciousness that there is anything objectionable in their conduct.