RESTIF DE LA BRETONNE. LE NOUVEL ABEILARD or Letters from tw - Lot 68

RESTIF DE LA BRETONNE. LE NOUVEL ABEILARD or Letters from two lovers who never saw each other. Neuchâtel and Paris, veuve Duchesne, 1778. 4 volumes in-12 of [6]-448-[8]; [4]-464-[16]; [4]-472-[8]-[4]-423-[1]-24-[8] pages, marbled calf, ornate ribbed spine, blue speckled edges (period binding). FIRST EDITION. This is one of the novels Rétif printed himself at André Caillau's, helping out in the workshop and even working on Sundays. Proud of his novel, he was convinced that he had written a very useful book for society, having found a way to preserve the morals of young people, and "to make young people make love without danger to their morals"; but the main merit of this work lies in the two blue tales it contains: Le demi-poulet, conte à dormir debout and Les 4 belles et les 4 bêtes. According to Bordes de Fortage, the illustration consists of 10 engravings, said to be the most charming to be found in Restif's works. A fine copy in its contemporary marbled calf binding (Rives Childs, p. 246) (Lacroix, p.148-151). Provenance: Roger Peyrefitte (Ex-libris).