Gustav III, King of Sweden

Collection des Ecrits Politiques, Littéraires et Dramatiques de Gustave III, Roi de Suède; Suivie de sa Correspondance

> click here to see the full size image.

Charles Delén, 1803 - 1805 Stockholm First Edition Engraved frontispiece portrait and seven plates.Five volumes. 8vo. [214 x 134 x 140 mm]. [11]ff, 247, [2] pp; [6]ff, 320, [1] pp; [4]ff, 328, [1] pp; [8]ff, 367, [1] pp; [5]ff, 352, [2] pp. Contemporary bindings with mottled calf sides surrounded by a gilt chain roll border, smooth spines of red goatskin, lettered on a green goatskin label and numbered on a lozenge-shaped green label surrounded by a string of pearls, sprigs and a hanging canopy and candelabra, with a flying bird and floral arrangement below; the top panel tooled with a lyre and leafy fronds, the lower panel with a cypher "G3" within a wreath, the edges of the boards tooled with a gilt pin-head roll, marbled endleaves, gilt edges. This edition was translated and edited by J. B. Dechaux and was republished in Paris in 1805. Some foxing and browning, which is mostly light. The bindings are in very good condition. Though they are unsigned they appear to have been bound in St. Petersburg, probably by Frederic Reeb. From the same source I have handled a three volume set of Caesar's "Commentaires", Montargris 1785, also bound with calf sides and red goatskin spines decorated in a similar fashion, with the same bird tool. These were signed in blind on the turn-in "St. Petersbourg Relie Chez Frederic Reeb". This edition of Gustavus's works has a long and distinguished list of subscribers, extending from volumes one to four, and includes one "Klostermann, Libraire à St. Petersbourg" who took 13 copies. He may have had these specially bound for resale, and perhaps had the "G3" tool cut for this purpose. The endleaves in volume 5 are different from those in the other volumes and as vol.1 is thinner than the others the finisher has carried the lettering over onto the front joint. Gustav III (1746-1792) was a cousin of Catherine II ("The Great") of Russia and visited her at St. Petersburg in 1777. Both were greatly interested in "belles-lettres" and art and shared a love of the theatre, but their rivalry led to the war of 1788-1790. An exhibition on Catherine the Great and Gustav III was held in St. Petersburg and Stockholm in 1998-99 and it was accompanied by an impressive catalogue (in English). Gustav III "was indisputably one of the greatest sovereigns of the 18th century. Unfortunately his genius never had full scope, and his opportunity came too late. Gustavus was, moreover, a most distinguished author. He may be said to have created the Swedish theatre, and some of the best acting drama in the literature are in his hand. His historical essays, notably the famous anonymous eulogy on Torstenson crowned by the Academy, are full of feeling and exquisite in style, - his letters to his friends are delightful. Every branch of literature and art interested him, every poet and artist of the day found in him a most liberal and sympathetic protector". - "Encyclopædia Britannica", 11th edition.

• GBP 2,500.00 > other currencies
• ordernr.: ebc2075

• bookseller: George Bayntun (GREAT BRITAIN)