‎MASSUET, PIERRE.‎
‎La Vie du Duc de Ripperda, Seigneur de Poelgeest. 2 vols. - [THE LIFE OF BARON RIPPERDA]‎

‎Amsterdam, J. Ryckhoff Fils and Z. Romberg, 1739. 8vo. Uniformly bound in two very nice contemporary Cambridge-style mirror bindings with five raised bands and richly gilt spines. All edges coloured in red. Small paper-label pasted on to top of spines. Boards with a few scratches. A nice and clean copy. (26), 332 pp. + frontispiece. (2), 408 pp. + frontispiece. ‎

Reference : 61142

‎The rare first edition of Massuet’s account of Juan Guillermo, Baron de Ripperdá, 1st Duke of Ripperdá’s rather exotic and dramatic life. John William, Baron Ripperda (1680 – 1737), also known as Juan Guillermo Ripperdá in Spanish or Johan Willem Ripperda in Dutch, was a prominent figure in European diplomacy during the early 18th century. Ripperda began his career as a Dutch diplomat but later switched allegiances to Spain. He gained favor with Philip V of Spain and rose to become Secretary of State and Prime Minister of Spain. Ripperda played a significant role in European politics, particularly in the context of the War of the Spanish Succession. However, his career was marked by controversy and intrigue. He was known for his shifting alliances and religious conversions, having reportedly changed his religious affiliation four times.‎