LETTRES INÉDITES DE DIANNE DE POYTIERS [THE UNEDITED LETTERS OF DIANNE DE POITIERS]
Book Details + Condition: Chez Veuve Jules Renouard (Paris). First Edition, 1866. 8 vo (approximately 9.25” x 6”). 273 pages, with Errata to end. Bound in contemporary half brown levant morocco over brown marbled boards; spine ruled, tooled, and lettered in gilt in compartments with raised bands; marbled endpapers; top edge gilt. With frontispiece and several plates. Text in the original French. By Georges Guiffrey (1827-1887). Dianne de Poitiers (1499-1566, or De Poytiers) was the mistress of French King Henry II and one of the most powerful women in France of her day. She was the Countess of Saint-Vallier, Duchess of Valentinois, and was for more than 20 years the favorite of Henry II. Endowed with a keen sense of power and her financial interests, she exercised a great influence on the king, who sincerely loved her, although she was 20 years older than him. During his reign (1547-1559), she benefited from a large number of gifts and honors. Guiffrey was a prominent French politician as well as a well-respected writer.
This scarce first edition also includes an autographed letter, signed by Guiffrey, inserted after the title page. Additionally, a page of Guiffrey’s original manuscript has been laid in. Firm binding; boards and leather binding a bit worn and rubbed; scuffed hinges starting, with a bit of separation towards top and bottom; text mildly toned, with some occasional soiling.
