SCUDÉRY (Madeleine de). Artamène, ou le Grand Cyrus. Printed in Rouen [by Laurent Maurry] ; Paris, Augustin Courbé, 1654. 10 volumes in-8, fawn calf, coats of arms in the centre, smooth spine decorated, red edges (18th century binding). This famous widow's novel, known as the longest French novel ever written, was published by Mlle de Scudéry under the name of her brother Georges. The original publication of the novel took five years, between 1649 and 1654. Complete copies of all ten volumes are rare, and almost impossible to find with all volumes dated correctly. Our copy contains all the volumes dated 1654. The work is illustrated with 8 (of 10) title-frontispices and 28 (of 30) out-of-text figures engraved in intaglio after drawings by François Chauveau. "Artamène ou le Grand Cyrus is a key work for understanding the French and European 17th century. The many flattering allusions made by contemporaries show that the novel was widely read and commented on, to the point of becoming an essential reference in the field of worldly culture" (artamene.othone.org website). A copy bearing the arms of Barthélémy-François Thoinard, member of the Paris parliament, maître des requêtes and fermier général from 1724 to 1750. Missing the portrait of the dedicatee, two title-frontispices (t. VII and IX), two engraved figures (t. IX and X) and two printed titles (t. III and IX); some engravings trimmed too short with slight damage to the subject, scattered freckles, two headpieces faded, small worm work on the spine of one volume; volume I: frontispiece and title doubled, tear with missing text p. 355; vol. II: printed title probably added, shorter margins and with a mention of Troisiesme édition, reveuë et corrigée; vol. III: frontispiece doubled, small marginal worm work; vol. VI: small hole affecting the engraving on the frontispiece. Tchemerzine, V, 781 - OHR, 1242/2.