THOMAS (Antoine-Léonard). Miscellaneous works. Paris, s.n., 1761. In-8, red morocco, triple gilt fillet, coat of arms in centre, spine decorated with a repeated coat of arms, green title page, inner lace, gilt edges (Period binding). A precious collection of works by the Auvergne poet and critic Antoine-Léonard Thomas (1732-1785), probably composed by him as a gift for the Duc de Choiseul, whose private secretary he was. The volume brings together six pieces published separately, three verse odes and three prose eulogies, under a general title that appears to have been printed specially for this copy: 1. Jumonville. Poëme. [S.l.n.n., 1759]. Long ode in honour of Captain de Jumonville, murdered in Pennsylvania by the young Colonel George Washington. The title leaf has been removed in favour of the general title of the collection. - 2 Ode to M. Moreau de Séchelles. New edition. S.l.n.n., 1759. - 3. Epistle to the people. Work presented to the Académie française. Third edition. S.l.n.n., 1761. - 4. Éloge de Maurice comte de Saxe. Paris, Veuve Brunet, 1761. - 5. In Praise of Henri François d'Aguesseau, Chancellor of France. Ibid, 1761. - 6. In Praise of René Duguay-Trouin, Lieutenant General of the Naval Armies. Ibid, 1761. These three eulogies won the Prix d'éloquence de l'Académie française in 1759, 1760 and 1761. Exceptional volume in red morocco bearing the arms of the Duc de Choiseul, Étienne-François de Choiseul-Stainville (1719-1785), principal minister of Louis XV from 1758 to 1770. Very fine restoration to the upper spine.