Montaigne, Michel de

Essais de Michel Seigneur de Montaigne. Cinquiesme edition augmentée d'un troisième livre et de six cens additions aux deux premiers. Paris: chez Abel l'Angelier, 1588

4to (10 x 7 1/2 in.; 254 x 190 mm). collation: A⁴, A - 6L⁴= 508 leaves. Etched title page with allegorical border, decorative woodcut initials, head-pieces made from printer's ornaments; tiny stain in lower margin and  small worm-track in gutter margin of first two quires, thin dampstain in upper margin of quires 4A-4B and in lower margin of last few quires, marginal paper flaws on five leaves without loss, contemporary manuscript side-notes on leaves 200, 207, 209-210 and 301. 18th-century mottled calf, double-fillet border, spine gilt in six compartments, in a modern half-morocco chemise and slipcase; some scuff marks, extremities mended.

Bernard Desrouhans (17c ms. signature on title verso) — Baron de La Roche Lacarelle (goldstamped leather bookplate) — Henri Burton (bookplate)

Tchemerzine VIII, 405; PMM 95 note

Etched title page with allegorical border, decorative woodcut initials, head-pieces made from printer's ornaments; tiny stain in lower margin and small worm-track in gutter margin of first two quires, thin dampstain in upper margin of quires 4A-4B and in lower margin of last few quires, marginal paper flaws on five leaves without loss, contemporary manuscript side-notes on leaves 200, 207, 209-210 and 301. 18th-century mottled calf, double-fillet border, spine gilt in six compartments, in a modern half-morocco chemise and slipcase; some scuff marks, extremities mended.
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First complete edition of one of the most profound works of world literature. The so-called "cinquième edition" is in fact the fourth, but the first appearance of the third book, printed from the author's manuscript, and is the last edition printed in the author's lifetime, becoming the definitive text on which all later editions are based. 

This is the second state of the engraved title (with the "g" of grand in the imprint reading as "g" and not "ó"), and the dated added. A handsome, crisp copy.