Montesquieu & Maurice de Becque (illustrations): Lettres Persanes. Illustrations de Maurice de Becque.
 
Paris, Éditions de la Lampe d'Or chez L. Baudel, 1925. 4to. [iv] + viii + 360 pp. With 30 colour engravings, 14 in full-page. 
 
No 80 of a total edition of 330 numbered copies, one of 150 copies on papier de Rives with the engraved plates coloured ”à la poupée".
 
Contemporary half dark blue morocco, spine gilt in compartments, top edge gilt, else uncut, wrappers bound in, silk marker. Bookplate of Palle Helmer-Petersen. Very slight traces of wear to bindning, two corners slightly bumped, and a couple of faint scratches to marbled paper on lower cover.
 
Persian Letters / Lettres persanes, first published in 1721, recounts the experiences of two fictional Persian noblemen, Usbek and Rica, who spend several years in France 1712-20 under Louis XIV and the Regency. During the trip from Isphahan and their long stay in Paris (1712 to 1720), they comment, in letters exchanged with friends and mullahs, on numerous aspects of Western, Christian society, particularly French politics and manners, including a biting satire of the System of John Law.