Paul et Virginie (or, Paul and Virginia) is a novel by Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre, first published in 1788. The novel's title characters are friends since birth who fall in love. The story is set on the island of Mauritius under French rule, then named Île de France. Written on the eve of the French Revolution, the novel is recognized as Bernardin's finest work. It records the fate of a child of nature corrupted by the artificial sentimentality of the French upper classes in the late eighteenth century. Bernardin de Saint-Pierre lived on the island for a time and based part of the novel on a shipwreck he witnessed there.The French volume included here is the first separate edition of this famous novel, published the year before in the fourth volume of Saint-Pierre's Etudes de Nature.

The English translation, by Jane Dalton, changed the name of Virginia to Mary. References: Malcolm Cook, "Bernardin de Saint-Pierre’s English correspondents during the French Revolution" in "British-French exchanges in the eighteenth century" edited by K. H. Doig & D. Medlin, 10-11. CSP, 2007. Patricia James in "Population Malthus" 1979 also attributes this translation to Jane Dalton. For an earlier attribution to Daniel Malthus see "The New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature" Vol. 2, 1971. 1008, 1531.

References: ESTC T70721

A unique collection of both the original French and the English translation of the famed novel, together with a remarkable collection of proofs before letters by esteemed French artists.

Three volumes housed in a custom three-part black and red leather box, with gilt titling to spine. Box solid, with some wear and cracking to edges.

Paul et Virginie. Paris: De L'Imprimerie de Monsieur, 1789. 12mo., xxxv, 243 pages. is bound in full burgundy morocco, triple gilt rules to boards, spine with gilt titling and tooling, all edges of text block gilt, marbled endpapers, bookplate to front endpaper. Unsigned binding, but early invoice states it was bound by Derome. With half-title and four black and white plates. Light foxing to plate edges. "Prix, papier vélin d'Essone, 6. liv."

Paul and Mary. London: printed for J. Dodsley, Pall-Mall, [1789]. Small Octavos, Two Volumes. In Near Fine condition. Both volumes of are bound in matching full green morocco with elegant gilt tooling, and paneled spines similarly gilt. Burgundy morocco doublures with matching design to boards, embroidered silk endpapers facing doublures, marbled endpapers following. Incredibly tight binding; bookplate to marbled endpaper; Bound by Chambolle-Duru, with their gilt stamp to front doublure. All edges gilt. CONTENTS: Vol. I. ([8], xii, [4], 191 pages [interspersed with numerous unpaginated plates]) -- Vol. II. ([8], 158 pages [interspersed with numerous unpaginated plates]).

With an Autograph Letter Signed by Saint-Pierre, addressed "Au Citoyen Le Danois" (André Bazile Le Danois de La Soisière), a member of the Council of Ancients. Measuring 9 in. x 6.7 in., with integral address leaf attached. Small tear to upper left corner where seal was attached, small archival repair to upper right corner, neither impacting and writing. Four Postal stamps present on integral address leaf. Actual text is 25 lines in Saint-Pierre's hand, responding to a letter by Le Danois about a meeting, countering his proposed date of the 8th with the 10th. He then goes on to discuss how he was tricked by a man that he had not seen for twenty years, as well as by a young woman. He defends himself that he in no way was compromising the interests of the Republic. The letter is dated "Paris, ce 7 ventose an 7" ( February 26th, 1799).

With invoice circa 1895 from E. F. Bonaventure, containing a handwritten description of the three volumes in purple ink. "Unique copy in an exquisite Binding by Chambolle extra illustrated with rare set all proofs before letters"

"1. Set of proofs by [Achille] Devéria
2. Set of proofs by Corboald
3. Set of proofs (?)
4. Set of proofs Medallions in color
5. Set of proofs Medallions [in color] by Dutailly [Guyot sculp]
6. Set of proofs by Desenne
7. Set proofs by [Jean-Michel] Moreau
8. Set proofs by [Tony] Johannot
9. Set proofs by Corboald (small)
10. Set proofs by Lery[?]
11. Set proofs by [Jean-Antoine-Valentin] Foulquier
12. Autographed Letter
In All 70 Plates, All proofs."

Shelved in Case 0.