[NICERON (Jean-Pierre). Mémoires pour servir à l'histoire des hommes illustres dans la république des lettres, avec un catalogue raisonné de leurs ouvrages. Paris, Briasson, 1727-1740. 41 volumes in 42 volumes in-12 (out of 44), spotted calf, triple gilt fillet, coats of arms in the centre, spine decorated, spotted edges (period binding). First edition of this monumental biographical compendium of great use to French literary history. Niceron died during the printing of the 39th volume; the last four were published by P. Oudin, J.-B. Michault and Abbé Goujet. The 10th volume, which is divided into two volumes, and the 20th contain corrections and additions to the parts already published, and each volume, from the 31st onwards, opens with a general alphabetical table of the biographical notes already published. The first three volumes were republished in 1729 and the fourth in 1737, but this is the first edition. A precious copy in a uniform binding bearing the arms of the Marquise de Pompadour (1765, no. 3480), a highly sought-after provenance. Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson (1721-1764), who was Louis XV's mistress from 1745 until her death, exerted a considerable influence on her era. Her library contained more than 4,000 volumes, covering "all genres of literature, from theology to history" (Quentin-Bauchart). From the library of Adrien Hoverlant de Beauwelaere (1841, no. 1479), the author of a colossal Essai chronologique pour servir à l'histoire de Tournai, with handwritten bookplate on each title. The last two volumes are missing, as is often the case. Covers and corners restored; some foxing. Dictionnaire des journaux, n°902 - Brunet, IV, 55 - Quérard, VI, 408.