MONTAIGNE, Michel de and Coste, Pierre. Essais de Montaigne. - Lot 150

MONTAIGNE, Michel de and Coste, Pierre. Essais de Montaigne. Published in Geneva by Jean-Samuel Cailler in 1779. In 10 volumes of In douze / In-12 format. Mottled mahogany calf. Smooth spines decorated with gilt fillets and fleurons, gilt title and tomaison on red morocco. Speckled edges. Contemporary binding. LXXII-280; (6)-345-(1); (3)-380; (3)-400-(1); (3)-390-(1); (3)-366-(1); (3)-379-(1); (3)-380; (3)-368-(1); (3)-376-(1) pages. Some rubbing to headpieces, jaws and edges, corners slightly worn. Upper head half gone in vol. IV, lower head gone in vol. I, 2 jaws slightly split in vol. V, a wormhole in the spine of vol. II. Complete 10-volume set of this major work by Montaigne, first published in 1580, in which the author deals with subjects as diverse as medicine, the arts, books, domestic affairs, ancient history, horses and illness, interweaving reflections on his own life and on Man. This edition includes Coste's extensive notes. Added at the end of the Essais, in the 9th volume, are letters by Montaigne, La Boétie's speech on voluntary servitude, the preface to the Essais by Mademoiselle de Gournay, a life of the author, and judgments and criticisms of the Essais. Very well preserved inside. Fine condition throughout.