Réfléxions Sur Les Sentimens Agréables, Et Sur Le Plaisir Attaché A La Vertu.
Montbrillant, [Jean-Vincent Caperonier de Gauffécourt] 1743.
Half-sheet 8vo. vii, 88p.
Contemporary gilt-ruled red morocco, corner fleurons, richly gilt spine, gilt-lettered red morocco label, endleaves of multi-colored veined paste paper with impressed decoration (see below), all edges gilt.
A moral and philosophical essay, originally conceived as a letter to the author’s friend Lord Bolingbroke, the Reflections first appeared in 1736 with similar works by other writers. This is the first independent edition.
IT WAS PRIVATELY PRINTED ON THICK PAPER AT THE PRESS OF GAUFFÉCOURT (1692-1766). It is the first of only four works the wealthy dilettante and amateur clockmaker set in type and printed for his own amusement over twenty years at Montbrillant, his country house outside Geneva. I have identified a half-dozen examples — all in Europe. In fine condition, early signature of physician A.J. Dalliez, bookplate of Joaquín Gómez de la Cortina, marqués de Morante (1805-68).
Dr. Susanne Krause calls these endleaves "extraordinary…. A multiple coloured veined paste paper with impressed decoration, making use of the design options inherent in the contrast of wet and dry and achieving the impressions free hand without the ubiquitous combs, stamps and wheels (and the occasional finger) of the time – most interesting…. It’s an incredibly modern application of the technique. I’ve seen it never on German objects and in over 20 years of teaching only once or twice (but not in that quality)" (private correspondence). My thanks to her for her observations.
¶Nodier, Mélanges tirés d’une petite bibliothèque XXXIX; Brunet, Recherches sur les imprimeries clandestines et particulières 18-19; Brunet, Manuel III: 1036.
Price: $3,400.00