Marie-Sidonia de Lénoncourt, marquise de COURCELLES. Vie de - Lot 111

Marie-Sidonia de Lénoncourt, marquise de COURCELLES. Vie de la marquise de Courcelles, written in part by herself, followed by her letters and the Italian correspondence of Gregorio Leti, relating to this lady... Paris, Xhrouet, Déterville et Petit, 1808. In-8, marbled mahogany calf, gilded floral border, smooth spine decorated (period binding). Graesse, I-287 /// XXI-268. Rare first edition of the memoirs of Marie-Sidonia de Lénoncourt (1650-1685), heiress to a large fortune, who married the Marquis de Courcelles before becoming the mistress of Louvois and the Marquis de Villeroi, among others. Convicted of adultery, she was confined to a convent, but escaped. Widowed and acquitted several years later, she returned to Paris. Her adventurous life is revealed in these Memoirs and the letters she exchanged with the Italian historian Gregorio Leti. A copy that once belonged to Louis Monmerqué, and richly enriched by him with notes, additions and corrections. Also bound in fine are 9 manuscript leaves, including an autograph by Walckenaer relating to an anecdote in the Mémoires. Ex-libris of Henri Tardivi and Jules Couet. Spine faded and hinges a little rubbed.