Michel de MONTAIGNE. Essais... Reveus & augmentez. Fort in-12, overlapping vellum, smooth spine with handwritten title in ink (contemporary binding). Brunet, III-1835 // Cioranescu, 15281 // De Backer, 450 // Sayce, 3 // Tchemerzine-Scheler, IV-872. (4f.)-1075-(2f. blank) / *4, A-Z12, Aa-Yy12 / 77 x 140 mm. Rare third edition of the first two books of the Essays, partly original. First published in Bordeaux by Millanges in 1580, the Essays were immediately popular with the literati. The simple form of this intimate work, combining introspection and scepticism, appealed to a public ready to take sides against certainties and fanaticism. Reissued in 1582 by the same publisher, they were then the subject of this third edition, in Paris in 1587, partly original with slight corrections and additions, before being completely revised and completed with a third book in 1588. A fine copy in its contemporary vellum binding. Nineteenth-century annotations in ink on the blank leaves, including one relating to the various editions of Montaigne, a few marginal stains in the S section. Provenance: Jehan de La Groix (handwritten bookplate in ink on the title).