Limited Editions Club The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova

Description: When one first thinks of The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova, one probably envisions some kind of variant of pornography. This is anything but that. Yes, it has some graphic details of Casanova's constant lust and conquests/seductions, but these are written rather tamely when one considers much of what passes for literature today. In his day, women were isolated and extremely protected, and vulnerable, because of rogues like him. What is memorable about this book is that the man was extraordinary, and he moved in extraordinary circles. Receiving a Doctor of Law degree at 17, he knew kings, and princes, and wealthy nobles and artists from all of Europe, including Voltaire, Catherine the Great, Frederick the Great, Rousseau, Ben Franklin, Dr. Samuel Johnson, George III, and two popes. His travels took him throughout the whole of Europe. He established the first national lottery. An accomplished poet and historian and critic, he spoke or could get by in numerous languages. Possessing a prodigious memory, Casanova (1725-1798) could adapt quickly on his feet as needs arose. A compulsive gambler, he was rich and poor countless times. Yet he could do whatever needed doing to get by and often make something of nothing. Also, he had an uncanny ability to get wealthy patrons to write letters of introduction for him to other wealthy nobility in distant lands, and then to give him huge sums of money so that their introductions did not embarrass them! He even escaped from a prison in Venice known as the Leads because of its lead roof. As such an exploit was inconceivable, it became the talk of all Europe. (He was there because of the Inquisition, a fact which should endear him to most of us.) So, it is not just his capers in bed that astound but his quickness on his feet in tough situations. One of my favorite moments in the book is when Casanova applied his knowledge of magic and the occult to feed into a wealthy woman's desires to die and come back as a man so she could perform great feats of alchemy and become immortal. (Women need not apply for these arts.) The woman just kept plowing him with money and introductions as he kept putting off her death while roaming around countless countries for new conquests in a never ending soap opera....This is a lovely edition of the exploits of the man, who really was Casanova, including detailed notes in an appendix. Illustrating our book with scrumptious and sometimes slightly erotic art, Rene Ben Sussan created 16 water colors, printed in six colors, and 16 in-text line drawings. The printing of the text and illustrations was accomplished by the venerable firm of Joh. Enschede en Zonen, Haarlem, Netherlands, under the supervision of Bram De Does. De Does selected Lutetia type and a cream white paper, thin yet opaque, made in the Netherlands specially for our edition. The book was bound in Amsterdam by Proost & Brandt. The cream-toned buckram is printed in crimson with an allover flower-and-leaf pattern. The parchment spine label is stamped in pure gold leaf. This is number 718 of 1500 copies, and is signed by Rene Ben Sussan. The offer includes both the essential four page Limited Editions Club Monthly Letter and the pre-publication announcement. This is an ideal purchase for lovers of French literature or semi-erotic memoirs, and for those interested in the history and culture of Europe in the mid eighteenth century. Thank you for reading this presentation, and good luck in your searches. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Price: 42.5 USD

Location: Wexford, Pennsylvania

End Time: 2024-10-23T05:35:23.000Z

Shipping Cost: 7.25 USD