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2026 RBMS Virtual Showcase

June 23-26, 2026

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Virtual Book Fair Exclusive

[Woman Author]. Collection de vingt portraits du siècle de Louis XIV que l'on peut joindre à la nouvelle édition des Lettres de Madame De Sévigné imprimées par P. Didot, l'aine

Sevigne, Madame de

$150
Offered by Michael Laird Rare Books LLC
  • Condition: Very good
  • Publisher: J.J. Blaise
  • Location: Paris
  • Date: 1818
  • Seller SKU: 3577
Paris: J.J. Blaise, 1818. Very good. 8vo. 20 ff. + 20 full-page engravings. Contemporary French emerald-green glazed boards, red morocco spine label (trifle rubbed). PRINTED BY PIERRE DIDOT L'AINE (1761-1853). "Pierre published acclaimed editions of Virgil, Horace, La Fontaine, and Racine. Firmin designed the Didot typeface. He also invented stereotypes (plates cast from printing surfaces) and was thus able to publish low-priced editions of French, Italian, and English books. Napoleon appointed him director of the imperial foundry, a position he held until his death." (E-B).

Multiple artists were entrusted to create the twenty extremely delicate engravings; some were executed by Claude Marie Francois Dien (1787-1865); others are signed "S.D. fecit," "C.A." and other engravers who have not yet been identified. There are portraits by Marie Therese of Austria, Marie de Savoie, Louis "Dauphin," the Duc de Montmorency, Comte de Grignan, and other notables of the day. Each portrait is accompanied by a brief letterpress biography by Madame de Sevigne.

Very good, unsophisticated copy in original glazed boards.

Offered by Michael Laird Rare Books LLC

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Michael Laird Rare Books LLC
Specializing in African-Americana, Ephemera, Fine And Historic Bookbindings, Illustrated Books, Latin Americana, Manuscripts, Oriental Printed Books And Manuscripts, Western Americana and Women's Studies.
Michael Laird is the sole proprietor of Michael Laird Rare Books. He has over thirty years' experience working with rare books and manuscripts. Mr. Laird earned his Masters Degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Texas at Austin in 1989. He has taught graduate level courses on Rare Books and Special Collections Librarianship at New York University (SCPS), Palmer School of Library and Information Science, and the University of Texas at Austin (School of Information). Michael Laird is a Certified member of the Appraisers Association of America (AAA) and is USPAP Compliant through October 2025. He is the principal appraiser of rare books, manuscripts, archives, and documents for Winston Art Group (New York) and Gurr Johns Inc. (New York), the largest art appraisal companies in the United States. He is an active member in the Grolier Club, and has published a number of scholarly articles and reviews, the most recent being a 3-part biography of Bernard Breslauer which appeared in the Gazette of the Grolier Club.

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Michael Laird
PO Box 299
Lockhart, Texas 78644
Phone/Text: (917) 747-5953
http://michaellaird.com
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Terms: 1. Everything we sell is unconditionally guaranteed to be as described. Returns cheerfully accepted within 14 days of receipt. Please advise us in advance. 2. Payments accepted by check or bank transfer (preferred) as well as major credit cards and Paypal. 3. We ship and bill to customers known to us, or to those who can provide ABAA trade references (net 14 days); others invoiced pro-forma. Reciprocal trade discounts apply. 4. We are known for "aggressively overpacking" our shipments; whenever possible we use recycled materials. Domestic shipments are sent signature required (USPS Media Mail or USPS Priority). Overseas shipments sent FedEX of USPS Global Express to insure door-to-door tracking; please inquire for shipping quotes. Thank you for reading our Terms! Order with confidence: we have been working with rare books and manuscripts full-time since 1986, and have been active in the trade since 1992.
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