GRIMM (Friedrich Melchior) - DIDEROT (Denis) - Lot 77

GRIMM (Friedrich Melchior) - DIDEROT (Denis) Correspondence littéraire, philosophique et critique, adressée à un souverain d'Allemagne, depuis 1753 jusqu'en 1769. [Since 1770 until 1782 - During part of the years 1775-1776, and during the years 1782 to 1790 inclusive. - Supplément] Paris : Longchamps, F. Buisson, 1813 [première partie] ; Paris : F. Buisson, 1812 [seconde partie] ; Paris : F. Buisson, 1813 [troisième partie] ; Paris : Potey, Buisson, Delaunay, 1814 [supplément]. - 3 parts and a supplement in 17 volumes in-8, 205 x 127. Half blond calf, spine decorated with false nerves, marbled edges (Thouvenin). Original edition of the first and third parts, as well as of the supplement, and second edition of the second part, published the same year as the original. This is the printing of the very rich correspondence, or should we say more precisely of the handwritten news, among the best known and richest of the 18th century, offering an exceptional testimony to the literary history of this century. Distributed in manuscript form, it was begun by Friedrich Melchior Grimm in 1753, and continued by Jacques-Henri Meister from 1773 to 1813. Initially intended for a few German courts, it was later distributed to some fifteen renowned subscribers, stretching from Tuscany to Russia, via Sweden and Poland. Grimm and Meister were surrounded by other writers, among whom the most notable were Denis Diderot and Madame d'Épinay. This edition features letters from 1753 to 1790. The Supplement contains: "1° les Opuscules de Grimm; 2° treize Lettres de Grimm à Frédéric II, Roi de Prusse; 3° plusieurs morceaux de la Correspondance de Grimm; 4° des Remarques sur les 16 volumes, par Ant.-Alex. Barbier, Bibliothécaire de S. M. l'Empereur et Roi, et de son Conseil d'État." Beautiful copy in uniform Thouvenin binding. Lightened backs. Provenance: Jacques Attali, with bookplate (sale May 25, 2019, no. 45).