Reunion of 5 works on French history in the 17th century in - Lot 246

Reunion of 5 works on French history in the 17th century in 7 volumes: 1. LOUIS XIV: Mémoires de Louis XIV, écrits par lui-même, composés pour le Grand Dauphin, son fils, et adressés à ce prince; suivis de plusieurs fragmens de mémoires militaires, de l'instruction donnée à Philippe V, de dix-sept lettres adressées à ce monarque sur le gouvernement de ses Etats, et de diverses autres pièces inédites. Arranged and published by J.L.M. de Gain-Montagnac. Paris, Garnery and Librairie Stéréotype, H. Nicolle, 1806. Two volumes. 12 by 20.3 cm. (4)-XVI-339; (4)-236 pages. Contemporary long-grained red half-maroquin, gilt lace framing. Some internal foxing, otherwise a fine copy. First edition. These Mémoires, intended for the education of the Dauphin, cover the period from 1661 to 1668. "L'ouvrage [...] se rattache pas aux mémoires proprement dits mais aux ouvrages théoriques dans lesquels les auteurs développent leurs idées sur la nature et l'étendue du pouvoir royal." (S.H.F., II-p. 136). 2. HÉROARD (Jean): Journal sur l'enfance et la jeunesse de Louis XIII (1601 - 1628). Extracted from the original manuscripts and published with the authorization of S. Exc. M. le Ministre de l'Instruction publique by MM. Eud. Soulié and Ed. de Barthélemy. Paris, Firmin Didot Frères, Fils et Cie, 1868. 2 volumes. 14 by 22.7 cm. (4)-LXIX-(3)-436; (4)-456 pages. Modern bradel boards, covers preserved. Binding in perfect condition. Old ownership stamps on 1st faux-title. First edition. Bourgeois et André, S.H.F. 669. Héroard (Jean), 1551-1628. This diary is certainly not intended as an account of the general politics of France during the first part of the reign of Louis XIII. If idle details and minutiae abound, if the author's critical spirit is absolutely lacking, his work is very useful, almost indispensable, for getting to know the very person of the King of France, his physical weakness during his childhood and youth, his moods, his melancholy, his preferred tastes. Héroard is a man of absolute good faith. Finally, as a meticulous and orderly writer, he wrote from day to day, and his exact chronology can be used to check the more irregular chronology of memoirists of the period. 3. MONTBAS (Jean-François Barton, Baron de): Au service du Roi. Unpublished memoirs by an officer of Louis XIV, published with an introduction and notes by the Vicomte de Montbas. With an out-of-text portrait. Paris, Calmann-Lévy, 1926. One volume. 13.5 by 22.5 cm. 1 portrait-(6)-XXXIII-(1)-304-(3) pages. Paperback, printed cover. A fine copy. First edition. Bourgeois et André, S.H.F. 808 bis. Although Montbas fought all over the world up until 1693, military events are rarely mentioned in his memoirs. His account is important for the study of manners, the education of a gentleman, and family disputes caused by material interest. 4. BEAULIEU-PERSAC (Philippe Prévost de): Mémoires de Philippe Prévost de Beaulieu-Persac, capitaine de vaisseau (1608-1610 and 1627). First published for the Société de l'Histoire de France by Ch. de La Roncière. Paris, Renouard, 1913. One volume. 15 by 24.3 cm. (6)-XXXVI-292 pages. Modern black half-chagrin with corners, spine ribbed, cover preserved. Fine binding. Scattered foxing. A fine copy. First edition. Bourgeois et André, S.H.F. 4029. "A sailor, Beaulieu-Persac fought against barbarian pirates in the Mediterranean in 1609: returning to France, he resumed his voyages in 1621 to defend Marseille's trade against privateers. In 1627, he was sent out to sea to help rescue Saint-Martin de Ré from English attack, and then took part in the siege of La Rochelle. From 1635 to 1637, he resumed his duties in the Mediterranean. His memoirs are divided into two parts: 1° A report on his voyage to the Levant, from 1608 to 1610, with details of the battles fought, especially against the Tunisian privateers; 2° A detailed account of the rescue operation carried out on the island of Ré in 1627. The account is interesting and truthful". (Bourgeois and André). 5. FALLET (Céline): Louis XIV and Holland. Rouen, Maison Mégard et Cie, 1860. One volume. 16 by 24.5 cm. 400 pages + 4 plates. Contemporary black half-chagrin, 4 ribbed spine, gilt edges. Good condition.