«Merge Record #»«Title» - Schulz-Falster Rare Books

Female Beauty Maintained and Enhanced
8.
[CARON, Auguste.] La Toletta delle Dame ossia Trattato intorno alla
Bellezza. Che contiene delle Riflessioni intorno alla natura della
bellezza, alle cause fisiche e morali che la alterano, ai mezzi di
conservarla sino a un'età avanzata, a ciò che appo noi la costituisce e
alla cura che aver si deve di ogni parte del corpo; indi un Quadro
storico delle mode di Francia, e consigli di un buon-gustajo per la
toletta della Dame. Traduzione libera dal Francese. Tomo 1 [-Tomo
II]. Milan, Batelli and Fanfani, 1822. £ 580
Two volumes, small 8vo, engraved frontispiece, pp. 256, [4] contents,
with two engraved plates; 240, [2] contents; crowned stamp to title page;
marbled boards, with two printed spine labels; a good copy.
First edition in Italian adapted from Auguste Caron's La Toilette des Dames, ou
Encyclopédie de la beauté, first published in French in 1806. In his well-structured
treatise Caron discusses female beauty from all angles, but stresses first that beauty
comes from within - though occasionally helped by some of his recipes. In the first
volume, which contains more of a historical overview, he comments on changing
fashions and changing historical, regional and national notions of beauty in women.
In individual chapters he discusses fashion, women and tobacco, women and luxury,
and the history of fashion before and after Henry IV. In the second volume he
concentrates on the practical aspects of preserving and enhancing beauty through
make-up, skin care and perfume. In individual chapters he deals with skin care,
various skin imperfections, and how to cure them. He treats both skin complaints
such as liver spots, birthmarks, but also skin complaints of pregnant women, again
giving detailed pharmaceutical advice on how to treat them. Lines and wrinkles - to
be treated amongst others by a boiled up concoction consisting of onions, honey and
wax, followed by recipes against sagging breasts. Recipes for hair care are given,
including colouring, and depilation of unwanted hair. Further chapters deal with
mouth and teeth, ears and nose, eyes, hands and nails. In each case Caron gives
careful advice on how to take care of them, and gives recipes for the most common
complaints, and advice on beautification. Throughout La Toletta delle Dame gives a
fascinating insight in the prevalence of cosmetics in early nineteenth century society.
The engraved plates show a scantily dressed woman having her hair done, and
images of Cloe and Zeffirina.
Uncommon .., see Cioranesco
Perpetual Peace
9.
CASTEL de SAINT-PIERRE, Charles-Iréné abbé de. Abrégé du Projet
de Paix Perpetuelle, Inventé par le Roi Henri le Grand, Aprouvé par