AUBERT (l'abbé). - Lot 13

AUBERT (l'abbé). Fables nouvelles, divisées en huit livres, accompagnées de notes. Fourth edition, considerably enlarged. Paris, Moutard, 1773. Small in-12, green morocco, triple gilt fillet, small fleuron at corners, coat of arms in center, ornate smooth spine, red title page, interior roulette, gilt edges (Period binding). Partly first edition A copy bearing the coat of arms of Simon-Pierre Mérard de Saint-Just (1749-1812). A former maître d'hôtel to the Count of Provence, the future Louis XVIII, Simon-Pierre Mérard de Saint-Just was a wealthy man who cultivated letters: in particular, he wrote fables and licentious tales, which he had printed in small numbers. He had built up an extensive and beautiful library, part of which, shipped to America, was seized by the English in December 1782. Some foxing, particularly on the title. Restorations to binding (lower head and spine).