Frédéric Soulié - Les Mémoires du Diable‎ - 1837-1838

This is the first edition of Frédéric Soulié’s masterpiece, “Les Mémoires du Diable”, which was considered a major title at the time, on par with the great feuilleton writers of the 19th century, such as “Le Mystère de Paris” by Eugène Sue, “The Three Musketeers” by Alexandre Dumas, or “The Human Comedy” by Honoré de Balzac. This monumental work was published in bookstores between 1837 and 1838 in 8 volumes. The text first appeared in the Journal des Débats in serial form in 1837, which sparked jealousy in Balzac, who responded with Splendeurs et Misères des courtesans. This Faustian novel paints a chilling picture of the society of the July Monarchy and its economic and moral corruption. Like Faust, Baron François-Armand de Luizzi sells his soul to the devil in exchange for the fulfillment of all his desires and will only escape damnation if he proves to himself that he has known happiness. Through deceitful characters who breathe goodness and innocence, Soulié paints a picture of society at its most abominable, its most cruel: crime, incest, adultery, falsehood. Romantic, well-made bindings in lavallière glazed half calfskin, smooth spine adorned with elegant decoration with small gilded iron. The back partially bare. In volumes 1 and 3 head cover missing small fragments. Fresh and clean interior, printed on good quality white vellum paper, a bit of scattered foxing. From the libraries of Chatillon Castle and “Cerruti di Castiglione” with heraldic ex-libris. AUTHOR: Frédéric Soulié TITLE: Memories of the Devil Paris, Ambroise Dupont, 1837. 8 Volumes In-8, Hardback, of 370, 364, 352, 382, 326, 327, 326 and 331 pp., tables in all volumes. Subject: Soulie Memories of the Devil Caricature Vices Corruption Society 19th July Monarchy EO 1837