First edition of a remarkable work on the social and legal status of women in Europe from the Roman period through the 18th century. The work discusses the education of women, their influence on government, science and the arts, and how they were treated in the literature of the troubadours. The present copy has been beautifully bound by Charles François Capé (1806-1867), who was the bookbinder of Empress Eugénie, and was considered to be one of the best French bookbinders of his time.
Barthélemy-Gabriel Rolland D'Eerceville (1734-1794) was an erudite and well-connected member of the French establishment and part of the government of Louis XVI. He held many differerent governmental posts throughout his life, including that of first president of the Chambre de Requêtes of the Parlement de Paris. He was unfortunately considered to be an enemy of the Revolution and was beheaded by the guillotine in 1794.
With the stamp of bookbinder Charles François Capé on the front turn-in. The leather is somewhat scratched, the corners of the boards are somewhat scuffed. The end papers are somewhat foxed, the edges of page I are frayed, the lower outer corner of page 1 has torn off. Otherwise in very good condition. Brunet 23212 (vol IV, p. 1358, note); Cioranescu 53906; Gerritsen collection of women's history, 2429; WorldCat 504573502, 404930134, 906577768, 457595259 (9 copies).