The Works of Francis Rabelais, M.D. Now Carefully Revised, and Compared Throughout with the Late New Edition of M. Le Du Chat (5 Volumes)

FIRST EDITION thus. Signed binding by Riviere. Late 19th century full crimson crushed leval morocco with a blind stamped celtic rope design on front cover with double lined gilt border. Compartmented spine with tooled design and lettering. Boards have rolled edges. All edges gilt. Elaborate gilt inner dentelling. Marbled endpages. Binding shows wear at extremities and the spine is slightly darkened. Title pages in black and red. Volume I: [i]-xxii + iii-viii + [i]-cxxxiv-[135]-384. The second pagination (iii-viii) is the contents of Volume II. Copper engraved frontispiece portrait of Rabelais and two fold out copper engravings. This volume contains an extra -- much later -- steel plate engraving tipped in behind title page. Volume II: Foldout copper engraved frontis, full page engraving (facing page 188) with repair at gutter, foldout plate at pg. 217. v-x + [11]-251; Volume III: [i-iv] + v-xx + [21]-22 + 3-367 + [3] (index); Fold out copper engraving facing pages 108, 191 & 229 (repaired at gutter); Volume IV: Foldout engraved frontis, plate facing pages 29 & 51; [i-v] + vi-xc + [1]-281 + [1] (blank) + [8] (contents) + [4] (adverts); Volume V: Plate facing pages 43, 145 & 154; [i]-lxiv + [1]-267 + 5 (contents). This set is complete with 15 copper engravings but some of them have been trimmed when bound by Riviere with some loss to the text descriptions. Pages internally in good repair but some in Volume 5 are age-toned. Overall in VERY GOOD condition. Great gift in a signed binding. Size: 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall.…