‎EON (DE BEAUMONT, C.G.L.A.A.T. D'.)‎
‎Lettres, mémoires & négociations particulières du Chevalier d'Eon, Ministre Plénipotentiaire de France aupres Du Roi de la Grande Bretagne; avec MM. les Ducs de Praslin, de Nivernois, de Saint-Foy & Regnier de Guerchy Ambassadeur Extraordinaire, &c. &c. &c.‎

‎Imprimé chez l'Auteur, Aux Dépens du Corps Diplomatique, & se vend A Londres, chez Jaquke Dixwell, 1764. With folding table, title printed in red and black. 3 parts in 1 volume. 26, (2), 36, (2), 202 pp.; 75, (1) pp.; (2), 59, (2) pp. 4to. Contemporary polished calf, gilt ornamental border on sides, richly gilt spine with red label with gilt lettering, with small repair to head and foot of spine, boards lightly spotted, corners a bit bumped. Conlon 64:768. First edition and the rare 4to edition. The Chevalier Eon de Beaumont, after brilliant studies, entered, in 1755, into the services of the King on instigation of the Prince de Conti. What Eon entered into was the 'Secret du Roi, service de renseignements qui, dans l'ombre, doublait la diplomatie officielle.' Thus Eon started out on missions commissioned by the King. After very succesful missions to Russia, and after courageous behaviour during the Seven Year's War, Eon gets slowly on into difficulties with certain circles at the Court, notably Madame de Pompadour, the duc de Praslin and the Comte de Guerchy, 'protégé de Praslin et de la Marquise'. His troubles get worse after rumours that he actually is a woman, and after the death of Louis XV, Louis XVI, informed about the 'Secret du Roi' wants to see all documents still in the hands of the Chevalier back. The final settlement is that Eon returns as a woman. It is one of the strangest outcomings of ugly negociations over important and compromizing papers and the Chevalier whose financial demands in exchange are exhorbitant. Interestingly enough, Eon had dressed and had presented himself as 'Mademoiselle Lea de Beaumont' on his first mission to Russia. - With the bookplates of Lord Lilford and Library Lilford on the front paste-down, and the bookplate of William Hartcup on recto of the first free frontpaper. ‎

Reference : 18202

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