Susanne Schulz-Falster Catalogue Ten - Schulz-Falster Rare Books

8vo, pp. [ii] engraved title, xxxii, 385, [1] blank, [389]–436, [1] errata;
two engraved plates; entirely uncut in the original boards, printed spine
label; a very clean and crisp copy.
First edition of Longhi’s elegantly printed treatise on copperplate engraving,
the Wrst of two projected volumes cut short by his death. Longhi gives
a brief historical introduction to the art of engraving, including a critical
account of various engravers and adding a priced list of prints to form a
collection. Giuseppe Longhi (1766–1831) was one of the most eminent of
the Italian engravers. In this volume, which was published posthumously,
the editor, F. Longhena, has added a biography of the author and an engraved
medallion portrait by Pietro Anderloni as well as a list of Longhi’s
pupils and a list of the engravings available from his heir.
Bigmore & Wyman p. 443.
Religion – an Utopian Satire
196 [LONGUE, Louis-Pierre.] Les Princesses Malabares, ou
Le Célibat philosophique. Andrinople [Paris], Thomas Franco,
1734. £420
12mo, pp. xii, 201, [3]; typographic head and tail-pieces, a couple of
signatures a little browned, else clean; contemporary full mottled calf,
spine decoratively gilt in compartments, gilt-lettered spine label, foot of
spine chipped and corners a little worn; still a good copy.
First edition, uncommon, of an allegorical utopian satire on religious and
philosophical beliefs. The main protagonists are disguised with anagrams,
but their identities are revealed in the last section. The allegorical critique
reveals how mankind has been tyrannised by its main religious systems. The
Princesses Malabares embody irreligion, antagonise society and eventually
are banished in perpetuity. Due to its contentious content, the work was
banned immediately after publication and burnt following an Arrêt du
Parlement in December 1734.
The work has also been attributed to Lenglet Dufresnoy and Quesnel
respectively.
Cioranescu 40825; Gay III, 861–2; Hartig & Soboul p. 46; NED 2941; Weller II,
p. 97; not in Negley.
Family Values? – Defence of Polygamy
197 [LYSER, Johan.] Discursus Politicus de Polygamia, Auctore
Theophilo althaeo... Friburgi, Henricum Cunrath, 1674. £1200
12mo, pp. 96; contemporary full vellum, gilt-lettered spine label;
occasionally weak impressions; bound tightly and cut rather close, with
two headlines shaved; later article pasted onto Wnal paste-down.
First edition, rare, of this vigorous defence of polygamy, which caused a
furore throughout Europe. The work was written at the behest of the
Swedish Count Königsmarck, who was tired of his wife and wanted to side-
susanne schulz-falster rare books catalogue ten
line her (see Hayn-Gotendorf, VI, pp. 234 V). Lyser maintained that polygamy
was allowed according to the Bible and natural law, and, moreover,
that it led to true happiness of the individual citizens, revitalised the country,
and created a higher standard of living.
This Wrst edition is very uncommon, a second edition was published in
1676 (enlarged to twice the size), followed by a third edition in 1682
(which extended to nearly 600 pages).
Gay-Lemmonier III, 842; Hayn-Gotendorf VI, 234; Peignot, Livres condamnés au
feu, I, 273.
198 MABLY, Gabriel Bonnot l’abbé de. De l’Étude de l’Histoire.
A Monseigneur le Prince de Parme. Mastreicht, Cavelier, Barrois,
Bailly, 1778. £300
12mo, pp. [iv], 380; title page vignette and engraved head and tailpieces;
contemporary full catspaw calf, spine richly gilt, gilt-lettered
spine label; a Wne copy.
First separate edition of Mably’s treatise on the study of history, which had
Wrst been published in 1775 as part of the Cours d’Étude pour l’Instruction du
Prince de Parme, prepared by Mably’s brother Condillac. In the Wrst half
Mably gives a general introduction to historical study and stresses its importance
in the education of future rulers. In a direct address to the prince
of Parma he maintains that true political and legal equality needs to be
based on economic equality. The second and more substantial part is devoted
to an analysis of recent political developments in European countries.
In an analysis of contemporary reforms and revolutions, Mably’s perceptive
comments on Poland and Sweden are particularly noteworthy.
Cioranescu 41183.
Quote Unquote
199 [MACDONNEL, David Evans.] A Dictionary of Quotations,
in most frequent use. Taken from the Greek, Latin, French,
Spanish and Italian Languages; translated into English. With
illustrations historical and idiomatic. London, C. G. and J.
Robinson, 1798. £350
8vo, pp. vii, [i], [208]; some pencil markings, and a few crayon underlinings;
bound in early nineteenth century glazed cloth, gilt-lettered
spine label; a Wne copy with later book plate on front paste-down.
Second edition of the Wrst English dictionary of quotations, Wrst published
the previous year. In this attractive dictionary Macdonnel includes quotations
from Greek, Latin, French, Spanish and Italian, with information on
their origin and meaning. Numerous mottoes of the nobility are included,
as are phrases used in law.
Alston III, 756; rare, RLIN locates just two copies in America, at Stanford and
New York Public Library.