12mo. viii, 239pp, [5]. With a half-title and an additional engraved title page. Handsomely bound in contemporary gilt-tooled red morocco, A.E.G. Minor shelf-wear. Marbled endpapers, very occasional light spotting.

A handsome copy of the Histoire du Chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut (The Story of the Chevalier des Grieux and Manon Lescaut), the seventh and final volume of Prévost's 'Mémoires et aventures d'un homme de qualité' (Memoirs and Adventures of a Man of Quality). Eventually becoming the most reprinted book in French literature, the tale follows the heroic Chevalier des Grieux, and his lover, Manon Lescaut. Considered controversial at the time of publication, it was subsequently banned in France, with pirated editions becoming widespread before a more toned-down release was provided in 1753.