May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
25
Madame de Scudery's roman-a-clef Clelie, with the famous "Carte de Tendre"
SCUDÉRY, [MADELEINE DE]
Clelie, ou Histoire Romaine. Paris and Amsterdam: Augustin Courbe and Jean Blaeu, 1656-1661. 5 parts in 10 volumes, early editions, with mixed dates and imprints as is customary with this set, volume I with tipped in manuscript letter signed by Alexandre d'Aumont Duc de Villequier. Contemporary speckled calf, gilt armorial to boards, gilt lettered and decorated spines, edges marbled or speckled red. 6 3/4 x 4 1/4 inches (17 x 10.75 cm); Volume I, [11], 1-604 pp., with 3 engraved plates and the folding "Carte de Tendre;" Volume II, [2], 605-1443, [4] pp., with 1 engraved plate; Volume III, [2], 1-630, with 2 engraved plates; Volume IV, [2], 609-1481, [4] pp., with 2 engraved plates; Volume V, [2], 1-604 pp., with 2 engraved plates; Volume VI, [2], 607-1604, [7] pp., with 1 engraved plate; Volume VII, [2], 1-614 pp., with 2 engraved plates; Volume VIII: [2], 617- 1464, [7] pp., with 1 engraved plate; Volume IX, [2], 1-544p., with 1 engraved plate; Volume X, [2], 545-1324, [7], with 2 engraved plates. Some rubbing and wear to bindings, skillfully rebacked, some joints starting or cracked but all volumes sound, contents with occasional spots and toning, a few marginal tears and small losses, early manuscript annotations (mostly in Volume IX), the "Carte de Tendre" is spotted with creasing and a closed tear, armorial of Paul-Hippolyte de Beauvilliers, Duke of Saint-Aignan, an old library stamp in most volumes, volume IX signed by a Mr. Gontier, bookplate of Rene Philipon in all volumes.
Copies of Madeleine de Scudéry's (1607-1701) influential and voluminous roman-à-clef Clelie are rarely seen at auction, and the set is even scarcer with the influential "Carte de Tendre" present. De Scudéry was a prominent French author, the doyenne of her own salon, the Société du Samedi, and one of the central figures of the group of French women intellectuals known as Les Precieuses. Her writings present a radical social vision for women that combines the praise of courtly etiquette and feminine elegance with demands for gender equality. The rare "Carte de Tendre," designed by de Scudéry and attributed to the engraver François Chauveau, is the earliest and most influential allegorical map of love ever printed. It shows an imaginary land called Tendre, where one begins in the village of "Nouvelle Amitie", and then travels up the river "Inclination," avoiding the various pitfalls such as the bad towns of "Indiscretion" and "Orgueil", to arrive at any number of the good towns like "Obeissance," "Respect," or "Contstante Amitie." The map preaches that a strategy of controlled patience, faithfulness, and attention will lead to success in love. Alternately, the dangers on either edge of the map, where there is the "Mer Dangereuse" and the "Lac d'Indifference," show that extreme passion or its opposite, indifference, are the surest ways to fail.
Sold for $1,280
Estimated at $2,000 - $4,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
SCUDÉRY, [MADELEINE DE]
Clelie, ou Histoire Romaine. Paris and Amsterdam: Augustin Courbe and Jean Blaeu, 1656-1661. 5 parts in 10 volumes, early editions, with mixed dates and imprints as is customary with this set, volume I with tipped in manuscript letter signed by Alexandre d'Aumont Duc de Villequier. Contemporary speckled calf, gilt armorial to boards, gilt lettered and decorated spines, edges marbled or speckled red. 6 3/4 x 4 1/4 inches (17 x 10.75 cm); Volume I, [11], 1-604 pp., with 3 engraved plates and the folding "Carte de Tendre;" Volume II, [2], 605-1443, [4] pp., with 1 engraved plate; Volume III, [2], 1-630, with 2 engraved plates; Volume IV, [2], 609-1481, [4] pp., with 2 engraved plates; Volume V, [2], 1-604 pp., with 2 engraved plates; Volume VI, [2], 607-1604, [7] pp., with 1 engraved plate; Volume VII, [2], 1-614 pp., with 2 engraved plates; Volume VIII: [2], 617- 1464, [7] pp., with 1 engraved plate; Volume IX, [2], 1-544p., with 1 engraved plate; Volume X, [2], 545-1324, [7], with 2 engraved plates. Some rubbing and wear to bindings, skillfully rebacked, some joints starting or cracked but all volumes sound, contents with occasional spots and toning, a few marginal tears and small losses, early manuscript annotations (mostly in Volume IX), the "Carte de Tendre" is spotted with creasing and a closed tear, armorial of Paul-Hippolyte de Beauvilliers, Duke of Saint-Aignan, an old library stamp in most volumes, volume IX signed by a Mr. Gontier, bookplate of Rene Philipon in all volumes.
Copies of Madeleine de Scudéry's (1607-1701) influential and voluminous roman-à-clef Clelie are rarely seen at auction, and the set is even scarcer with the influential "Carte de Tendre" present. De Scudéry was a prominent French author, the doyenne of her own salon, the Société du Samedi, and one of the central figures of the group of French women intellectuals known as Les Precieuses. Her writings present a radical social vision for women that combines the praise of courtly etiquette and feminine elegance with demands for gender equality. The rare "Carte de Tendre," designed by de Scudéry and attributed to the engraver François Chauveau, is the earliest and most influential allegorical map of love ever printed. It shows an imaginary land called Tendre, where one begins in the village of "Nouvelle Amitie", and then travels up the river "Inclination," avoiding the various pitfalls such as the bad towns of "Indiscretion" and "Orgueil", to arrive at any number of the good towns like "Obeissance," "Respect," or "Contstante Amitie." The map preaches that a strategy of controlled patience, faithfulness, and attention will lead to success in love. Alternately, the dangers on either edge of the map, where there is the "Mer Dangereuse" and the "Lac d'Indifference," show that extreme passion or its opposite, indifference, are the surest ways to fail.
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, May 1, 2024
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Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on May 1, 2024 Totals $1.2 Million
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A Medieval Manuscript Rules of St. Augustine Achieves $102k
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
NEW YORK, NY -- Competitive bidding at Doyle’s May 1, 2024 auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps drove strong prices and a sale total that topped $1.2 million, surpassing expectations.
Featured in the sale was a fascinating selection of early manuscripts that achieved exceptional results. Highlighting the group was a 14th century manuscript of the Rules of St. Augustine from an English priory that soared over its $8,000-12,000 estimate to realize a stunning $102,100. The Rule of St. Augustine is among the earliest of all monastic rules, created about 400, and it was an influence on all that succeeded it. Other notable results included a 14th century Etymologiae of St. Isidore estimated at $5,000-8,000 that achieved $51,200 and a 15th century Prayer Book of Jehan Bernachier estimated at $10,000-15,000 that sold for $28,800.
A first edition of John James Audubon's octavo Birds of America sold for $41,600, far over its $25,000-35,000 estimate. Published in 1840-1844 in seven volumes, the first octavo edition was the final Birds of America publication overseen by Audubon in his lifetime.
The Fred Rotondaro Collection offered rare books and manuscripts on a range of subjects touching the African American experience in the United States over three centuries. A first edition copy of Frederick Douglass’ 1876 speech at the unveiling of the Freedman's Monument in Washington realized $12,800, far exceeding its $3,000-5,000 estimate. A first edition of the first issue of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin from 1852 also achieved $12,800.
Highlighting the range of offerings from the Ken Harte Collection of Natural History was a first edition Richard Bowdler Sharpe’s beautifully illustrated monograph of Kingfishers, 1868-71, that sold for $14,080, doubling its $6,000-8,000 estimate. It was accompanied by an inscribed copy of the rare unfinished chapter on the anatomy of the kingfisher by James Murie.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
For information, please contact Peter Costanzo at 212-427-4141 ext 248, Edward Ripley-Duggan at ext 234, or Noah Goldrach at ext 226, or email Books@Doyle.com
