1805 Memoirs of Talleyrand 2 Vols 1st Ed John Murray Earl of Sandwich For Sale

Memoirs of C. M. Talleyrand de PérigordBy the Author of The Revolutionary Plutarch [Lewis Goldsmith, “Stewarton”]London: Printed for J. Murray, Fleet Street, by T. Gillet, Salisbury Square, 1805.First edition. Complete two-volume set.Early English-language political memoir/attack on Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, one of the central diplomatic figures of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras. Published in London in 1805, during Napoleon’s rise and while Talleyrand was still alive, the work presents Talleyrand as a powerful political operator moving between revolutionary government, Napoleonic statecraft, private intrigue, and diplomatic maneuvering. This is less a neutral biography than a contemporary British anti-Napoleonic political text — sensational, hostile, and historically interesting as early printed commentary on Talleyrand’s reputation.Two volumes in contemporary half leather over marbled boards, with red morocco spine labels and gilt spine decoration. Includes old ownership and bookseller labels, including an Earl of Sandwich ownership label/bookplate and a small Thomas Beet, Bookseller, 15 Conduit Street, Bond Street, London, W. ticket. Thomas Beet was a mid-to-late 19th century London bookseller associated with rare, curious, and valuable books, including black-letter and early printed volumes.Collation NotesVolume I: Collated complete through the text: xx pp. preliminary matter, including 20-page preface, followed by 410 pp., ending “End of the First Volume.” Portrait frontispiece present. Two tipped-in/folded French facsimile letters present. No terminal advertisement leaf present in this copy, as is sometimes noted; rear appears intact, with no obvious evidence of removed leaves.Volume II: Collated complete through p. 401: preliminary matter present, text through p. 378, appendix through p. 401, ending “FINIS,” followed by terminal advertisement for Robert Beatson’s Naval and Military Memoirs of Great Britain.ConditionBindings heavily worn and fragile but appealing in period half leather. Leather is rubbed, dry, cracked, and friable, with losses to spine ends, joints, corners, and board edges. Leather is especially dry and crumbly on Volume II. Marbled boards are rubbed and abraded. Hinges are slightly tender, particularly where the old leather is split or flaking, but the text blocks are very tight and appear to have seen little reading use. Interiors are toned with scattered foxing/spotting, occasional stains, and marginal marks. Several leaves show rough/deckled or uneven lower edges, apparently from original paper/trimming/opening rather than later text loss. Old ownership labels, bookseller ticket, and pencil notations to pastedowns/endpapers.Please review all photos carefully; photos are part of the condition description. I'm happy to answer any questions or provide additional photos. All serious offers will be considered.Preservation / Shipping NotesVolumes will be wrapped in acid-free unbuffered tissue and shipped with/in an archival storage box, then securely packed for mailing. Insurance and signature receipt will be required.