Tableau De L'Amour Considere dans l'Estat Du Mariage [Table of human love considered in the state of marriage] by Venette, Nicolas - 1688

Amsterdam, The Netherlands: A. Parme: Chez Franc d'Amour, 1688. Hardcover. Very Good. 32mo - over 4" - 5" tall. A most handsome little tome, a probably Second Edition, though not so stated, one that comes from the personal library of Gershon Legman (!) and that is signed by him verso of first free endpaper. Features also an arrestingly pretty little bookplate in diamond shape, no name, but the letters (probably) "a" and "r" and with a regal-looking hound perched atop it. Text in French, authored by Nicolas Venette (1633-1698), the volume is divided into four parts. 32mo in format, [24], 552 pp., [24]. Rebound at some point in full leather, with gilt design and triple gilt ruling on both front and rear covers. Gilt lettering to spine of title and publication date (1688), and with five gilt designs in between stamped bands. Short closed tear at p. 93, and with hundreds of almost imperceptible penned marks of emphasis in the margins. Published by A Parme: Chez Franc d'Amour, in Amsterdam, with gilt page edges all around, new endpapers comprised of marbled paper. A too-brief entry about Nicolas Venette in Wikipedia notes that he was a physician, a sexologist (before there was such a thing) and author, including, anonymously, of Traite du rossignol, published in 1697. Member, I.O.B.A., C.B.A., and adherent to the highest ethical standards. Additional postage may be required for oversize or especially heavy volumes, and for sets.