Pidansat de Mairobert - L'espion Anglais ou...

Collection of 7 extremely rare volumes from the 18th century (see photos). The English spy, or secret correspondence between Lord All'Eye and Lord All'Ear • Author: Mathieu-François Pidansat de Mairobert. • Journal and epistolary collection / political and satirical pamphlet from the end of the 18th century. • Successive titles: • Initially known under the title The English Observer, or Secret Correspondence between Lord All'Eye and Lord All'Ear (launched in 1777, with a variant spelling All'Ar later corrected to All’Ear). • The definitive title becomes The English Spy or Secret Correspondence between Lord All'Eye and Lord All'Ear. • Publication: 7 volumes, all from the 1780 edition. • Content: It presents political, social and literary critique in the form of a faux correspondence between two English lords ("All'Eye" = all eye / all eyes, and "All'Ear" = all ear / all ears) who observe manners and the French court. A rich collection that sketches a complete portrait of France under Louis XVI (specifically from 1774 to 1779), covering economic, literary, cultural, political, musical, military and social aspects. It contains curiosities such as letters on the capture of Dominique and the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, on Marseille, the Americans, Martinique, the Battle of the Belle-Poule, Voltaire, Beaumarchais, songs, numerous dialogues and book critiques... The whole forms a kaleidoscope of a thousand colors, delectable and of definite interest for the period. Pidansat de Mairobert, royal censor, committed suicide after being implicated in the trial of the Marquis de Brunoy and reproached by the Parliament, accused of relations with the English press. Pagination: Vol 1: tables + 382 pages. Vol 2: tables + 346 pages. Vol 3: 390 pages. 2 folding plates (tables often, in this III volume, list of the king's ships). Vol 4: tables + 368 pages. Vol 5: tables + 318 pages. 2 folding plates (tables of tax assessments of the electoral regions, table of conquered regions). Vol 6: tables + 334 pages. Vol 7: tables + 275 pages. The photos complete the description. Contemporary half-leather bindings, format "17 x 10 cm", smooth backs ornately tooled; title piece, matted, headbands, red edges, a plate, often missing, in volume III, listing the king's ships. A second plate of taxation in the kingdom in volume V, most often missing in other editions. Extremely rare 18th-century works (see attached photos). Very beautiful rare 18th-century works; Shipment with a tracking number for international delivery.

Estimate:£401.29

View all items fromCatawikiorBooks, Maps & Manuscripts