Felicia, ou mes fredaines.

Typographic ornament throughout. 

2 volumes in one. 8vo (165 x 98mm.) [2], 216; [4], 256p. Contemporary sprinkled calf, rebacked with original spine laid down, red edges (a trifle scruffy). 

 

 

An anonymous Amsterdam reprint of this classic and highly entertaining erotic novel by the extremely interesting figure, Félix Robert Andréa de Nerciat, born at Dijon in 1739. After an adventurous and interesting career as writer, and librarian at Cassel, and later as soldier, diplomat, agent and double agent, he died at Naples in 1800, probably as a result of his being imprisoned by general Berthier in the Castel S. Angelo in Rome in 1798 whence he was liberated in September 1799.

 It was the poet and writer Guillaume Apollinaire who first investigated the bibliography of Félicia. The first edition appeared in 1775 and the book was several times reprinted in various formats, some with plates. It is still in print (see volume II of Romanciers libertins du xviiie siècle in the Bibliothèque de la Pléiade).

Provenance: A. Riollet with bookplate; further bookplate on front pastedown; ownership inscription at foot of title page. Faint pencil sketch of face on verso of final leaf, and figures in profile on rear free endpaper.

Slight and very occasional marginal staining, title page grubby. 

Stock Code: 228482