7-ARGENSON (René-Louis de Voyer de Paulmy d'). Journal et mémoires. Published for the first time from autograph manuscripts in the Bibliothèque du Louvre for the S. H. F. By E. J. B. Rathery. Paris, Vve Jules Renouard, 1859-1867, 9 vols. large in-8, red half-maroquin, ribbed spine, gilt head (period binding). The best edition of these important memoirs. René-Louis de Voyer de Paulmy, Marquis d'Argenson (1694-1757), son of the famous Lieutenant-General of Police of Paris under Louis XIV, was one of the most enlightened statesmen of his time. Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1744 to 1747, he was the last French statesman to persevere with his anti-Austrian policy. His Considérations sur le gouvernement de la France, published posthumously, was read in manuscript by Voltaire, with whom he was closely associated. His memoirs are one of the best surviving sources on political and literary life during the reign of Louis XV, and a veritable work of political philosophy. There is no published version of the marquis's complete economic and political works. The present edition is based on the original manuscripts held at the Bibliothèque du Louvre (former Bibliothèque du Conseil d'État). After an unusable one-volume edition published in 1825, the Bibliothèque Elzévirienne published the first "complete edition", limited to five in-12 volumes, in 1857-1858. Immediately afterwards, the Société d'Histoire de France undertook a major critical edition, still partial, but incomparably more complete. A fine copy. Rare in this condition.