Le Gazetier cuirassé ou Anecdotes scandaleuses de la Cour de France.…Imprimé à cent lieües de la Bastille, à l’enseigne de la biberté.
[i.e., London]: 1771. One of several editions published surreptitiously in London in 1771. Some editions included a frontispiece, but ours apparently did not, or at least we could not find that any with our collation have one. Spine lacking, rubberstamp on title-page. Otherwise a very good, clean copy, in cloth folding case. Original wrappers, uncut. Twelvemo. 188 pp. Item #14064
Theveneau de Morande (1741-1805) was one of the most notorious gutter journalists, scandal-mongers and blackmailers of the French underground press. Born in Arnay-le-Duc, he came to live in London, where he could take aim against the Louis XV’s court with impunity. This is his most famous work. He threatened to publish a tell-all biography of Madame du Barry, and the king sent Beaumarchais to London buy his silence. For a time, he was employed as a French spy, and as an editor of French language journals published in London, notably Courier de l'Europe (1776-1792).
Price: $450.00