Michel Jean SEDAINE. Recueil de poésies. London, Paris, l'au - Lot 68

Michel Jean SEDAINE. Recueil de poésies. London, Paris, l'auteur, Pissot, Durand, 1780. In-12, flamed basane, smooth spine decorated (Period binding). Cioranescu, III-59786 /// VIII-(1f.)-230-119. Third edition, revised and corrected. A precious copy by Grimm, bearing on the title this autograph signed letter: à Monsieur le Baron de Grimm de la part / du Monsieur qui l'aima le plus MJ Sedaine. Originally a stonemason, Michel Jean Sedaine (1719-1797) devoted his spare time to reading. Noticed by his boss, the architect Buron, Sedaine took on more challenging work and joined his company. Sedaine made friends with literary figures, composed songs and a play, La Tentation de Saint Antoine (The Temptation of Saint Anthony), which made him famous. He then turned his attention to literature and poetry, achieving success mainly through his theater. He was elected member of the Académie française. Minor wear to 3 corners.