Anecdotes ou Memoires Secrets Sur la Constitution Unigenitus. VILLEFORE (Joseph François Bourgoing de).

Three volumes. 12mo. [172 x 106 x 70 mm]. xvi, [iv], 384 pp; [1]f, xx, 425 pp; [1]f, ii, 291 pp. Bound c.1820 in mottled calf, the covers with the gilt arms block of Charles Stuart, Ba ron Stuart De Rothesay. Smooth spines divided into six unequal panels by gilt panels, lettered in the second on a red goatskin label, numbered in the fourth on a small shield-shaped red goatskin label, the first and fifth panels tooled to a lattice design, the third with a circular centre tool, the sixth with a floral roll, marbled endleaves, yellow edges sprinkled with red. (Tips of corners worn, a little rubbed and small patches of insect activity at foot of two covers).
[Utrecht: chez Corneille Guill. Le Febvre] 1733-1734

Vol.1 and 2 have no place or printer and are dated 1733. Vol.3 is denoted as the second edition and has the Utrecht: Le Febvre imprint and is dated 1734.

A few light and minor stains and spots, but a very good copy. The binding is probably French and the mottling may disguise sheepskin rather than calf.

Charles Stuart, Baron Stuart de Rothesy of the Isle of Bute (1779-1845) entered the diplomatic service in 1801. He served as Minister at Lisbon 1810-1814, and during the Hundred Days in 1815 he was Ambassador at the Courts of both the King of the Netherlands and Louis XVIII of France. He served twice as Ambassador at Paris, 1815-1824 and 1828-1831, and at St. Petersburg 1841-1844. In Paris he accumulated a grand collection of art and books, and built Highcliffe Castle at Christchurch in Hampshire to house it.

Bookplate of Robert J. Hayhurst in vol.1.

Stock no. ebc7642