VERSAILLES – SOCIÉTÉ PHILANTHROPIQUE (FRANCE). Réglemens généraux pour la Maison Philantropique de Versailles.[Paris, c.1786.]

Very rare regulations of the Versailles branch of France’s first philanthropic society, bound in red morocco for the Duc de Charost, the Society’s first president.The Société was established in Paris in 1780 and continues its activities to this day. A colophon indicates that these particular regulations were approved at Versailles on 13 August 1786 and signed by Noailles, Prince de Poix and perpetual honorary president; the Duc de Villequier, president; De Lassone, first vice president; Du Tillet de Villars, fils, second vice president; Félix Nogaret, secretary; and Cuillé, treasurer. No copies of this work are traced at auction or in institutional libraries; WorldCat, however, lists a few institutional copies of the related c.1784 regulations of the main Society in Paris, Réglemens généraux pour la Maison philantropique de Paris(36 pp.). Olivier pl. 446.

Octavo (177 x 110mm). 39 pages. Occasional light spotting. Contemporary French red morocco gilt, all edges gilt, silk ribbon bookmark, with the arms of the Duc de Charost (extremities lightly rubbed). Provenance: Armand-Joseph de Bethune, Duc de Charost (1738-1800, president of the Maison Philantropique in Paris from 1782-87; binding) – Bibliothèque du Château de Louppy (bookplate).