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Montaigne, Michel de (1533-1592) Les Essais.
Paris: Chez L'Angelier, 1595.
First posthumous edition, edited and augmented by the author's adopted daughter, Marie le Jars de Gournay; privilege on verso of title dated 15 October 1594; the printing job was shared between Abel Angelier and Michel Sonnius; this copy does not have the "Au Lecteur" letter to the reader; bound in modern tan calf by Honnelaitre, gilt-tooled spine, aeg.; rubbed; 12 7/8 x 8 in.
This edition, prepared by de Gournay, Montaigne's "fille spirituelle," was based on a copy of the 1588 printed edition significantly annotated by the author. The printing process took over six months to complete because of de Gournay's precise editing. The work was an immediate success and provides readers with the most accurate version of Montaigne's work obtainable.
