GUYS, Jean-Baptiste.
La baguette mystérieuse ou Abizai.
La Haye, et se trouve à Paris, 1755.
12mo (165 × 90 mm.), pp. xiv, 143, [1]; 142. Woodcut fleuron to title, head-and tailpieces. Contemporary mottled sheep, flat panelled spine, gilt with pomegranate tools, marbled edges. An excellent copy.
First edition of a very scarce amorous novel in the oriental mode. A follower of Crébillon fils, Guys is described by Dufrenoy, in no uncertain terms, as one of the "Crébillonnistes décadents" who developed the more undesirable elements of the orientalist genre.
COPAC gives a copy in the Taylorian Institute, Oxford only; OCLC/RLG find copies at Koninklijke Bibliotheek (NL), Deutsche nationalbibliothek, NYPL and University of Maryland only.
£475.00
US$944.25*
* Given as a guide only. Based on an exchange rate of £1 = US$1.987896 for the day 5 July 2008 but liable to fluctuate.
5 July 2008