MOTTEVILLE (Madame de).—Memoirs to Serve as a History of Ann - Lot 173

MOTTEVILLE (Madame de).—Memoirs to Serve as a History of Anne of Austria, Wife of Louis XIII, King of France. By Madame de Motteville, One of Her Favorites. Amsterdam, François Changuion, 1723. 5 volumes in-12, speckled calfskin, smooth spines decorated with blind-stamped fillets, crowned initials at the bottom, bookplate (contemporary bindings). [8 ff.], 460 pp., [7 ff.]; [1 f.], 435 pp., [4 ff.]; [1 f.], 428 pp., [6 ff.]; [1 f.], 420 pp., [11 ff.]; [1 f.], 366 pp., [11 ff.]. First edition. Famous memoirs by the lady-in-waiting and confidante of Anne of Austria, covering the years 1615–1666, about the queen, her private life, and the secret workings of the court during the Fronde. She was an eyewitness to these events beginning in 1643. An observant figure who remained aloof from the quarrels, she provides a vivid and truthful account. Included with this volume: [BOUGOIN DE VILLEFORE (F.J.)].—Life of Madame the Duchess of Longueville. Paris, 1738. 2 volumes in 1 in-12 volume, contemporary brown calfskin, ribbed spine decorated with fleurons and gilded panels, mottled edges, minor flaws in the binding, handwritten ex-libris on the title page. [1 f.], xij, 240 pp.; [1 f.], 188 pp. First edition. The first biography of Condé’s sister, who played an important role during the Fronde and was one of Port-Royal’s greatest supporters. The author’s sources include information provided by the Princess herself and the letters of Madame de Longueville. In addition, Bourgoing de Villefore drew upon memoirs and historical accounts of the period.