1835. Two volumes in one, 8vo, pp. [iv], 386; [iv], 370, (p. 191 erroneously numbered 126); some foxing throughout, more prominent in a few gatherings, and with some very occasional light marginal dampstaining, otherwise generally clean and crisp; in contemporary calf-backed marbled boards, with marbled edges, one section of fore-edge in blue, spine attractively tooled and lettered in gilt, retaining two green silk markers, some light rubbing and wear to extremities, but otherwise a very good copy. Rare first edition of this curious, and somewhat scurrilous literary work edited by Touchard-Lafosse and based upon the manuscript notes of Alexandrine Jullimier. ‘This spicy work was written on the notes of Mademoiselle Jullemier [by Touchard-Lafosse]. The first volume, almost in its entirety, contains little-known particulars on the obscure origin and elevation of the one of the most shameless industrialists of the time, the famous Giraudeau de Saint-Gervais, [charlatan and author of a treatise on venereal diseases]. The second volume contains anecdotes on the practice of Mademoiselle Jullemier, told with wit.’ (online translation of: Cet ouvrage piquant a été rédigé sur les notes de mademoiselle Jullemier [par Touchard-Lafosse]. Le premier volume, presque en entier, ne renferme que des particularités peu connues sur l'origine obscure et l'élévation de l'un des plus éhontés industriels de l'époque le fameux Giraudeau de Saint-Gervais, [charlatan et auteur d'un traité sur les maladies vénériennes]. Le second volume renferme des anecdotes sur la pratique de Mademoiselle Jullemier, racontée avec esprit.’ Quérard, Supercheries littéraires 2, 435).
Alexandrine Jullemier was a pupil of Madame La Chapelle, and opened a clinic in the rue de l’Odéon, making a speciality of clandestine deliveries. She was closely involved with the noted ‘quack’ Doctor Giraudeau, and according to Quérard was largely responsible for his success. He is represented in the present account as a man without scruples, and it is interesting to note, that in the second edition which appeared in the same year, most of the names were changed, Giraudeau de Saint-Gervais renamed as ‘Duroche’.