Catéchisme de gens mariés (Instruction for the Newly Married)
Caen: Leroy, 1782. First edition. Hardcover. Duedecimo. A-D6 E4 (= 28 leaves; blank E4). 53, [3, blank]pp. Half-title only, as in all known copies. Nineteenth century half morocco over marbled boards (lightly rubbed at extremities), gilt-tooled spine in compartments; marbled endleaves; silk ribbon marker. Bookplate. Text lightly toned. A nearly fine copy in a pretty signed binding.
Rare first edition of this anonymously published opuscule from the netherworld between self-help and erotica. Written by a priest, it was placed on the Catholic indices of banned books for its explicit chapters, especially one concerning masturbation. Old pencil annotations cite the author and publisher. Several editions appeared in the late nineteenth century; the 1881 printing opened with a typically lurid frontispiece by Felicien Rops. In a signed binding by David, with the allegorical bookplate “Le Gout” of Henri Tak. Nearly Fine. Item #49067
References: Gay/Lemonnyer 1:495 -- “l'ouvrage n’a pas de titre. Très rare.”.
Price: $750.00