In two quarto volumes, with identical pictorial covers, illustrated in hand-coloured pochoirs by George Barbier. Numbered 437 of 650. Minor defects to the covers. Twenty delightful full-page coloured plates in all. This work was first produced in 4 volumes in 1782 and is a novel written entirely as a series of letters between various main characters. This is the story of the Marquise de Merteuil & the Vicomte de Valmont, two rivals who use seduction as a weapon to humiliate and degrade others while enjoying their cruel games and boasting about their combined manipulative talents. It is claimed to show the decadence and debauchery of the French aristocracy just before the French Revolution. Coloured plates in order: Volume 1. 1. Small motif of a naked mermaid. 2. Title page. 3. Small coloured header and coloured initial letter to 'Lettre Premiere...' A cupid whispering in a lady's ear at her writing bureau. 4. Full-page illustration of a romantic naked couple. 5. Full-page illustration of a lady playing the Harp. 6. Full-page illustration of a maid on her knees before a sportsman with a rifle and dog. 7. Full-page illustration of two ladies in an opera or theatre box. 8. Full-page illustration of a couple caught in bed together! 9. Full-page illustration of two ladies caressing each other. 10. Full page illustration of a lady undressing, getting into a bed with a young girl already asleep in it. 11. Full page illustration of a man and a woman listening outside a bedroom door by lamplight. 12. Full page illustration of a group of noblemen and women gossiping around a circular table. 13. Full page illustration of a besotted nobleman on his knees before a young woman - about to pull the servant's cord! Volume 2. 14. Small motif of naked mermaid. 15. Title page. 16. Small chapter header and coloured initial letter to accompany 'Lettre LXXXVIII.' Nobleman writing / reading a letter. 17. Full-page illustration showing a naked couple embracing, before a plinth, surrounded by cherubs, a nymph, and a fully clothed couple. 18. Full-page illustration of a nobleman about to enter the bed of a naked, sleeping woman. 19. Full-page illustration of a group of male and female aristocrats talking or lounging around furniture. 20. Full-page illustration of a nobleman carrying a younger lady across a small stream. An old lady watches them. 21. Full-page illustration of a gentleman and a lady in their carriage, with footmen and townsfolk in a town square. 22. Full-page illustration of a young lady and her lover on a bed - complete with a small dog for company! 23. Full-page illustration of the end of a duel between two noblemen. One lies dying of a sword wound in the arms of his servant. The victor looks on. 24. Full-page illustration of a woman on her knees before an older lady in a convent - watched by two nuns. 25. Full-page illustration of a formal dance. 26. Full-page illustration of a woman bearing a gift to a lady in a carriage at the entrance to a stately home / chateau, with a footman and servant.