Beschreibung:

BINDING-MARIE LESZCZYNSKA, WIFE OF LOUIS XV] HARDION, JACQUES. Histoire universelle sacrée et profane, composée par ordre de Mesdames de France . Paris: Guillaume (& Louis) Desprez, 1754-65. Eighteen volumes, full red period morocco, the covers with the gilt arms of Marie Leszczynska, Queen Consort of France, spine in six compartments, richly gilt. 6 1/2 x 4 inches (16.5 x 8.5 cm); various paginations. A small chip to the spine of the first volume, volume VIII with a scuff at the foot of the rear board, various other minor defects, overall a fine set. Two further volumes were written by Linguet after the death of the author, and are not present. A partially obscured inscription in an early hand noted "Ce livre m'a été donné par Madame Sophie. 12mo, 18 vol. [Obliterated signature]. Exemplaire de la reine". The copies of Queen Marie of France, wife of King Louis XV of France and grandmother to Louis XVI, Louis XVIII, and Charles X. This a rare history of the world by Hardion (1686-1766), who was Louis XV's librarian, a member of the Academy, and the instructor in history and literature to children of Louis XV. "Madame Sophie" in the inscription is likely the sixth daughter of the Queen, Sophie Philippine Élisabeth Justine de France. C