Causeries d'un curieux. Varietes d'histoire et d'art tirees d'un cabinet d'autographes et dessins

Four volumes, complete. First and only edition of this groundbreaking work in the field of connoisseurship and collecting, written by a famous forger. Using numerous specific examples (all of which are forgeries by his own hand), Feuillet de Conches demonstrates how manuscripts and original artworks can be used by modern scholars. The first volume is devoted to the ancient world. The first half of the second volume is devoted to Chinese materials. The remaining two and a half volumes focus on the modern western world. There are extensive sections on contemporary collectors (Nodier, Viollet le Duc, etc.), Holbein, Racine, Henri de Navarre, Montaigne, illustrated books, compilations of prints, and much more. Over 2400 pages in all, with numerous facsimiles of (fake) autograph documents. Printed on fine wove paper. Large 8vo. Attractively bound in contemporary quarter calf and decorated boards, all edges marbled. Light wear to extremities of bindings. Internally bright and fine. An attractive and rare set: the last volume is notoriously scarce.