Jean Lemoine and Andre Lichtenberger — De la Valliãƒâ¨Re ãƒâ€ Montespan

Paris, Calmann-Levy, 1902. Fine Binding. A presumed first edition of this biography of the life of Françoise Athénaïs de Rochechouart de Mortemart, marquise of Montespan, the favourite mistress of Louis XIV of France. Born into one of the oldest noble families of France, the House of Rochechouart, Madame de Montespan was called by some the true Queen of France during her romantic relationship with Louis XIV due to the pervasiveness of her influence at court during that time Her so-called "reign" lasted from around 1667, when she first danced with Louis XIV at a ball hosted by the king's younger brother, Philippe I, Duke of Orléans, at the Louvre, until her alleged involvement in the notorious Affaire des Poisons in the late 1670s to 1680s. Her immediate contemporary was Barbara Villiers, mistress of King Charles II of England. She is an ancestress of several royal houses in Europe, including those of Spain, Italy, Bulgaria and Portugal. Includes a frontispiece of Madame de Montespan with tissue guard, and a second plate bearing her portrait within the text. In a half-morocco binding. Externally, very attractive, with just some minor shelfwear. Internally, tight and firmly bound. Armorial bookplate to front pastedown. Pages are very bright and clean. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine .