Le Diable Boiteux [The Lame Devil]

Finely printed and bound edition of this classic tale by Le Sage originally published in 1707. The hero, a student named Cleofas, frees a demon captured by a magician in a bottle. The entity, who is named Asmodeus, transports Cleofas to the rooftops and towers of Madrid, revealing to him the secrets of each home in the form of adventure stories. Interesting provenance, owned by author and politician, Whitelaw Reid (1837-1912) who served as Ambassador to the UK under Roosevelt and Taft, and Minister to France under Harrison. Under McKinley in 1898, Reid was appointed to the American commission that negotiated peace with Spain. . 2 vols, 8vos, 196 and 224pp. Titles in two colors, vignette head and tail pieces. Engraved frontis in the first volume, a 4 other plates by Adolphe Lalauze in each. Handsome binding by Gruel in 1/2 black morocco, ornately gilt spines, marbled boards, t.e.g. Some minor rubbing to edges and joints, with a few scuffs. Bookplate of Whitelaw Reid to front pastedowns else clean internally and near fine Number 85 of 170 on Holland paper, out of an entire edition of 220.…