Paris: A la Librairie Frederic Henry, 1869.
32mo, 120 X 75mm, 64, 96p. Cover titles on original paper wrappers bound in, modern ¼ leather, marbled boards, spine with gilt divisions and gilt title, original paper front covers bound in/tipped in, gilt top edge, (several pages poorly cut), spine slightly sunned.

These rare two little books bound together in this volume comprise two of the three in the series “Documents pour servir à l'histoire de nos moeurs” published by Larchey (1831-1902). The compiler was a lexicographer and curator known for his dictionary of French slang and other historical and biographical publications. The first, Les Gastronomes, reproduces 20 letters written in 1867/68 by a variety of correspondents to the food writer and gourmet Baron Leon Brisse (1813-1876).

The 32 writers in Les Amoureux poured out their feelings in letters composed from 1852-1868. Larchey assures his readers that all the letters he prints are authentic and original documents, adding that private correspondence is the only way to study humankind “sur le vif.” Many of the items are headed by a brief editorial comment. A handsome, clean copy. Only 400 copies of each title were published. This copy is from the collection of French bookseller Pierre Beres. Volumes which include also the third part (Les demanders…1870) are held at Vanderbilt and two Paris libraries.
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