Baltazar GRACIAN. L'Homme de Cour. Paris, Edme Couterot, 169 - Lot 25

Baltazar GRACIAN. L'Homme de Cour. Paris, Edme Couterot, 1693. In-12, blond calf, double fillet, spine with 5 ornate nerves, interior roulette, edges gilt on marble (Binding of the period). (34f.)-373-(1f.). Sixth revised and corrected edition, translated and commented by Amelot de La Houssaye, decorated with a frontispiece engraved by Le Pautre dated 1688 and 2 unsigned bandeaux. This important work brings together some three hundred maxims and reflections on how to live wisely, intelligently and prudently at court. The first edition was published in 1647. Small marginal hole in one leaf. Enclosed: [Charles Pinot, sieur DUCLOS]. Considérations sur les moeurs de ce siècle. S.l.n.n., 1751. In-12, blond calf, spine with 5 ornate nerves (Period binding). Barbier, I-723 / Cioranescu, I-25937 /// (2f.)-366. First edition of this work, which caused great controversy on publication. The writer was criticized for philosophizing on the mores of his time, while he was seen, as Grimm recounts, as a man who had spent his life in cafés, arguing with a club-like voice and brawling, as was fashionable at the time (Hoeffer). Nevertheless, his work shows a fine, profound sagacity.