First complete French edition of Giacomo Casanova's (1725-1798) Mémoires, comprising 10 volumes. The original French manuscripts were acquired in 1821 by the German publisher Friedrich Arnold Brockhaus (1772-1823), who first published an expurgated German translation prepared by Willem von Schütz (1776-1847) between 1822 and 1828. Its success prompted a French retranslation from the German by Victor Tournachon (1771-1837), published in 14 volumes between 1825 and 1828.
The Brockhaus firm subsequently undertook a French-language edition based on the original manuscripts, revised and rewritten by Jean Laforgue (1782-1852). The first four volumes appeared in 1826-1827, but publication was then delayed by censorship, with the next four volumes published in 1832 and the final four only in 1838.
During these delays, the Parisian publisher Paulin published a rival edition. After reprinting the first eight Laforgue volumes in 1833, he commissioned Philippe Busoni (1804-1883) to complete the work. Their two concluding volumes, published in 1837, contain material not found in the Laforgue text and may derive from a free combination of the Schütz translation and earlier French adaptations. The 9th volume bore the imprint, "Paulin, Libraire-Éditeur, Rue de Seine, 33. 1837," and the tenth volume, "Chez E.-B. Delanchy, Imprimeur Rue du Faubourg-Montmartre, 11. 1837."
The Mémoires are celebrated not only as an extraordinary autobiography, but also as a rich historical and cultural record of 18th-century Europe. Casanova recounts his travels, amorous adventures, encounters with royalty, intellectuals, and artists, as well as his experiences in prisons, courts, and salons. The work combines vivid storytelling with keen observation, offering a unique window into the social, political, and cultural life of the Enlightenment. This edition, as the first complete French version, preserves the full scope of Casanovas narrative and remains a cornerstone for both literary and historical study.
Volume 10 bears a pencil ownership inscription on the verso of the second flyleaf, reading "Monsuur Dehor", a modern manuscript volume number label mounted on the front pastedown of each volume The upper spines of volumes 1 and 5 are slightly rubbed, brown stains on some of the boards. The leaves are somewhat foxed, p. 455 of volume 5 has been reinforced, pp. 82-88 of volume 6 show some brown staining, consistent with the quality of the paper. Otherwise in good condition. Rives Childs, no. 12 p. 137-139; WorldCat 800403619, 4887572.