AGUESSEAU (Henri François d'). - Lot 93

AGUESSEAU (Henri François d'). Œuvres. Paris : Les libraires associés, 1759 (1761)-1783. 12 volumes in-4 (of 13), 254 x 197 : I. portrait, xliv pp., (1 f.), pp. (xlv)-cxlviij, 622 pp. ; II. xxxvj, 692 pp. ; III. xxiv, 822 pp. ; IV. xxx, 737 pp. ; V. (2 ff.), xxxij, 752 pp. ; VI. (2 ff.), xvj, 773 pp. and 1 blank page; VII. (2 ff.), xlviij, 685 pp. ; VIII. (2 ff.), xxiv, 711 pp. ; IX. (2 ff.), xx, 731 pp. ; X. (2 ff.), xvj, 460, xij pp. and (1 f.), 316 pp. ; XI. (2 ff.), xvj, 677 pp. and (1 f. bl.); XII. (2 ff.), xxviij, 648, xlix pp. and 1 blank f. Red morocco, triple gilt fillet on the boards, spine gilt, gilt border inside, gilt edges (contemporary binding). First collective edition in part original, dedicated to Guillaume II de Lamoignon, of the Works of Chancellor d'Aguesseau, published by Abbé André, his librarian, with the help of the chancellor's sons. The edition is illustrated with a portrait of d'Aguesseau engraved by Jean Daullé in 1761 after a painting by Vivien of 1703 on the frontispiece of the first volume, a vignette representing the attributes of the chancellor on the titles, and a band with the arms of the dedicatee, engraved by Paté after De Sève. The first volume, although dated 1759, was printed by Simon in 1761. The thirteenth volume, published in 1789, is missing as often. A precious copy in contemporary red morocco, a rare and most sought-after condition. Missing some headpieces, some wear and tear, several corners dulled and re-stained. Spine tarnished, some hinges cracked or slightly split but solid. Provenance: Winchcombe Henry Hartley, with 19th century bookplate . He is a descendant of the English politician who died in 1794 and bears the same name.