The Jewish Spy:

£1,250 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

A translation of the Marquis d'Argens' Lettres juives (first published in 1736). The book is written in the form of correspondence between rabbis in different capitals of Europe, comprising two hundred letters between Aaron Monceca, visiting France, Jacob Brito in Genoa, and Isaac Onis, rabbi of Constantinople. An imitation of the Montesquieu's Lettres persanes (1721) and the vogue for pseudo-epistolary literature at the turn of the century criticising European culture, politics, religion and manners. With an interesting dedicatory epistle to 'The Printer's Devil', a moniker for the young apprentice so-named from being 'daub'd with the Printer's Ink' (Preface).The book is written in the form of correspondence between rabbis in different capitals of Europe, with a survey of the cities Second edition; 5 vols, 12mo (170 x 105 mm); engraved frontispiece, each vol. with engraved vignette to title, engraved portrait of d'Argens by James Mynde, woodcut initial, head and tailpieces; each vol. with extensive index, vol. I, p.303 misnumbered 333, binder's corner vol. III, p.5; contemporary sprinkled calf, gilt spine, red morocco lettering pieces, edges stained red, small defects to extremities, a little worn; xii, 303, [45]; xii, 312, [48]; xvi, 322, [58]; xix, [1], 317, [34]; xxiv, 368, [28] pp.

• Binding: Hardcover

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.