Michel de MONTAIGNE. Les Essais... Edition nouvelle,... Lot 158

Michel de MONTAIGNE. Les Essais... Edition nouvelle, trouvee apres le deceds de l'Autheur, revueuë & augmentée par luy d'un tiers plus qu'aux precedentes Impreßions. In-folio, blond glazed calf, gilt fillet and small gilt fleurons in the corners, spine with 6 nerves nicely decorated with gilt small irons and a gilt vase, gilt edges ( 18th century binding), modern black half-chagrin box. De Backer, 454 // Le Petit, 104 // Sayce, 7A // Tchemerzine-Scheler, IV-876. (12f.)-523-231 / ã4, ē4, ī4, A-Z6, Aa-Vv6, Xx4, Aaa-Sss6, Ttt-Vvv4 / 215 x 347 mm. First edition by Mlle de Gournay, based on Montaigne's manuscripts, and increased by a third. From the first edition of Essais in 1580 until his death in 1592, Montaigne constantly reworked and expanded his main work in successive editions. On his death, he left a copy of the 1588 edition riddled with annotations, additions, spoilers and more. His widow Françoise de Montaigne entrusted the author's daughter-in-law daughter-in-law of the author, Marie de Gournay, assisted by Pierre de Brach, to undertake a new edition, faithfully incorporating all modifications. The edition, to which Marie de Gournay took particular care, was shared between Abel L'Angelier and Michel Sonnius and published in 1595. Copy conforms to Sayce's description except for one variant (page 144 numbered 44). The title is addressed to L'Angelier, the notice from Montaigne Au lecteur is printed on the verso of the table (ī4v) and the inserts on pages 63/64 and 69/70 are missing. Many copies of this edition include autograph corrections by Marie de Gournay, made during the printing process, which are not present here. A very fine copy, despite minor old restorations and a few smudges on the boards. Illegible handwriting on the second cover. The copy has been washed and very well established. There are faint stains on 2 pages (279-281), one page slightly soiled by printing ink (360) and tiny holes due to ink oxidation on 6 pages (29, 47, 49, 55 157 and 67). Provenance: GH (unidentified bookplate).