AUBERY (Antoine). Mémoires pour l'histoire du cardinal duc de Richelieu, Cologne: Pierre Marteau, 1667. - 5 volumes in 7 in-12, 141 x 72: (2 ff.), 624 pp; (4 ff. last blank), 528 pp; (4 ff.), 432 pp; (1 f.), pp. 433-790; (5 ff.), 312 pp; (1 f.), pp. 313-773; (6 ff.), 595 pp, (14 ff. last blank). Red morocco, triple gilt fillet framing the covers, ornate ribbed spine, interior gilt roulette, gilt edges (period binding).Second edition of this historical collection, published in the sphere under the false address of Pierre Marteau. Richelieu's death in 1642 marked the beginning of an intense collective reflection on his political legacy. Through passionate eulogies and virulent pamphlets, his actions were dissected, analysed, celebrated or denounced with rare intensity. This debate became all the more intense as Mazarin's government, seen sometimes as a pale and disappointing copy, sometimes as an edifying continuation, rekindled passions and controversies. It was against this backdrop that the Mémoires pour servir à l'histoire du cardinal duc de Richelieu by historian and lawyer Antoine Aubery (1616-1695) appeared in 1660 - the first peak of Richelieu apologetics, in which the author set out to defend, systematise and magnify the minister's work, thus laying the foundations for a historical posterity that was as contentious as it was fascinating. The work was commissioned by the Duchesse d'Aiguillon, the Cardinal's niece. A very fine copy in contemporary red morocco. Some rubbing from use. Old label of a private library at the top of the spines. Two tears on the first cover of the second volume. Light red stains on the first leaves of volume 4. Mottling in volume 5. Some browned leaves.