[BANNED BOOKS]. [RELIGIOUS SATIRE]. [LONGUE, Louis-Pierre ca. 1729-1798]. Les Princesses Malabares, ou Le Célibat philosophique... [Paris:] Thomas Franco, 1734. 12mo. xii, 201, [3] pp. Contemporary full calf, boards ruled in blind, spine tooled in gilt in compartments, five raised bands, burgundy gilt morocco lettering label on spine, gilt board edges and turn-ins, marbled endleaves, edges sprinkled red. FIRST EDITION OF THIS SCARCE RELIGIOUS SATIRE/UTOPIAN ALLEGORY, MOST OF WHICH WERE BURNED.
Condition
Joints and board-edges worn, some cracking to boards, tailcap of spine chipped, hinges starting, some occasional foxing, toning in text. Very good.
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This book was quickly condemned as sacrilegious and most copies were burned following an "Arret du Parlement" in Decmeber, 1734. This book satirizes the role of religion in history. The author sees religious systems as tyrannical, which is reflected in this book. The Princesses Malabares represent irreligion. They antagonize society and are eventually banished. The main characters in this work are disguised with anagrams; the final three pages are a key to the anagrams' meanings. Graesse Vol. II, p. 349. Hartig, P. 46. Peignot, Livres condamnes, II, p. 53.