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an old book with a picture of a man holding a sworda close up of a book with a picture of an owl on it
ALDE

72 - MOLIÈRE D'ESSERTINES (François).
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Estimate €1,500 - €2,000
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Description
MOLIÈRE D'ESSERTINES (François). Molière’s *Polyxène*. Paris: Anthoine de Sommaville, 1635. – [SOREL (Charles)].  The True Sequel to the Adventures of Polyxène, by the late Sieur de Molière, continued and concluded on the basis of his Memoirs.  Paris: Anthoine de Sommaville, 1634. 2 substantial volumes, small 8vo, brown calfskin, coats of arms on the covers, spines decorated with arabesques and heraldic figures, marbled edges 1) Molière’s *La Polyxène*. Engraved frontispiece, title page, 6 unnumbered folios containing a dedication to the Princess of Conty, 896 pp. This novel, in the style of *L’Astrée*, was first published in 1623. François de Molière, Sieur d’Essertines, was born around 1600 in Oyé in the Brionnais region and was murdered in Paris in 1624. A poet, he frequented the court of Marie de Médicis and later that of Louis XIII. *La Polyxène* enjoyed considerable success. Reprinted and pirated on several occasions, it was to be followed by two sequels. According to accounts by Sorel and F. Garasse, Molière was stabbed by one of his friends. Molière inspired J. B. Poquelin to adopt his stage name. *La Polyxène* was printed for the last time in 1644, the year in which Poquelin adopted the name Molière. 2) SOREL (Charles). *La Vraye suite des advantures de la Polyxène*. Engraved frontispiece, title page, 6 ff. (dedication to Mademoiselle de Tresme, epistle to the reader, privilege), 994 pp. First edition. To the four books of Molière’s *La Polyxène*, Sorel adds books 5 to 8: “I had the memoirs of the late Monsieur de Molière; I had his style and approach; but I lacked his eloquence (...) I therefore resolved to present you with the continuation of the adventures of Polyxène” in the preface to the reader. Rare copies bound with the coat of arms of Jeanne d’Albert de Luynes, Countess of Verrue, with the inscription ‘St. Port’ above the coats of arms and, on the spine, elements of her alternate arms. The hinge of the second volume is split. Olivier pl. 799.
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About the sale Xavier de Planhol Library – The Origins of the Novel
Auction location
Auction time 09/30/2026 at 2:00 PM
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