[SCUDÉRY (Madeleine de). - Lot 65

[SCUDÉRY (Madeleine de). Recueil de quelques pièces de prose et de vers Faits pour les Prix qui avoient est proposez de la part de l'Academie Françoise en 1671. Paris: Pierre le Petit, 1671-1672. - In-12, 154 x 87 : (2 ff.), 24 pp., (8 ff.), 278 pp., (1 blank f.), 28 pp. 25-71. Red morocco, triple gilt fillet framing the boards, ornate spine, gilt border inside, gilt edges (period binding). Rare and sought-after edition of this work constituting the very first collection of pieces presented for the prize of eloquence of the French Academy. It will be followed by several others until the 18th century. The edition begins with a false title and a table leaf followed by the original edition of the Discours de la Louange et de la Gloire by Madeleine de Scudéry (1607-1701), which earned her the distinction of being the first, in that year 1671, to receive the prize for eloquence offered by the Académie française. The play is introduced by a special title dated 1671 and occupies the first 24 pages. Pages 25 to 71, bound here at the end of the collection, contain the rules of the prize and various pieces in verse: Le Duel aboli, Ode au roy, Sur les duels, Sur la défense des duels, Ode pour le roy Sur la défense des Duels, Sur la navigation & le Commerce, Les Dames à mademoiselle de Scudéry, etc. The collection also includes two other Discours de la louange et de la Gloire, also appearing for the first time, each with a particular title. The first one is by Nicolas de La Volpilière (16..-17..), with a title dated 1672, and the second is attributed to Jean Girard, with a title dated 1671. Precious copy in contemporary binding, coming from the prestigious library of Jean-Baptiste Denis Guyon de Sardière (1674-1759). He was the son of Madame Guyon, famous mystic friend of Fénelon, and was captain in the king's regiment. He acquired admirable manuscripts at the sale of the castle of Anet built in the sixteenth century for Diane de Poitiers, and collected many novels of chivalry. Most of his books bear, as is the case here, his signature on the first title and on the last leaf. At his death, his library was acquired en bloc by the duke of La Vallière. An exquisite copy, very well preserved despite two dull corners. Provenance: Jean-Baptiste Denis Guyon de Sardière, with his autograph signature at the beginning and end of the copy.