[Bestseller on erotic voyeurism] Les liaisons dangereuses,

ou Lettres Receuillies dans une Société, & publiées pour l'instruction de quelques autres. Par M.C... de L... [= Pierre Antoine François Choderlos de Laclos], Amsterdam (no publisher), and Paris at Durand, 1782, 4 volumes in two bindings, (4)199,(1); (4)188; (4),191,(1);(4),102 [=202] p., contemporary uniform polished calf, spines with rich gilding and with 2 contrasting morocco title shields, all edges gilt, 12mo.

Good copy with owner's name "F. de L.P. 1823" in pen on the free endpaper; marginal water stain at the end of volume 2; bindings with some traces of use such as sm. tears (on hinges), cardboard visible on the outer corners. Despite (thanks to?) the fact that this epistolary novel on temptation, revenge and human ruthlessness was immediately banned, it would become one of the most successful books from the 18th century, of which during the year of the original edition, 1782, alone appeared 16 editions! Of these, ours, according to the bibliographer Max Brun, is edition "G". Each volume has its own half title. Known to general audiences mostly thanks to the 1988 film Dangerous Liaisons.