L’Origine des Cons sauvages, la manière de les apprivoiser, le moyen de prédire toutes choses advenir par iceux. Plus le Bail à ferme desdits cons. avec les sens et rentes, et tout ce qui en dépend. Plus la source du gros fessier des Nourrices, et la raison pourquoi elles sont si fendues entre les jambes.

(Lyon, France):  Jean de la Montagne, 1797.  First edition.  Hardcover. 14.5cm by 9.5cm. 70 [72] pages.  Anonymously written text that was first published in 1610 in Lyon, under the imprint of Jean de la Montagne (as here).  A 17th century joke, rediscovered at the end of the 18th century and reprinted a number of times, of which this is the first. The text playfully pretends to treat the female sex organ as if it were a mysterious, untamed force—classifying it, leasing it, predicting the future through it—all in the format of a mock-scientific or legal document.  Illustrated with two free engraving, one as frontispiece.  A very good copy in red half-morocco with long grain, decorated spine in gilt. (early twentieth century binding).  From the Léon Gambetta library.