"DROLLERY, KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORLD, VARIOUS SATIRE, GENERAL UTILITY, UNITED WITH GREAT VIVACITY OF COMPOSITION"
(GRAMMONT, Philibert, comte de) HAMILTON, Anthony. Memoirs of Count Grammont. London: Arthur L. Humphreys, 1906. Octavo, contemporary three-quarter black morocco gilt, raised bands, green morocco spine label, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, uncut. $400.
Fine press edition of this satirical inside look at the court of King Charles II of England, handsomely bound by Sangorski & Sutcliffe.
First published in French in 1713, this chronicle of a "reprobate count" captures the "easy and irresponsible air" of the English court of 1662-64. "For drollery, knowledge of the world, various satire, general utility, united with great vivacity of composition… the Memoirs of Grammont… deserve that character more than any which was ever written" (Walter Scott).
Interior clean and fine, minor rubs to spine ends and corners. A handsome volume in near-fine condition.