FÉNELON François de Salignac de la Motte, LES AVANTURES DE TELEMAQUE, Fils dUlysse / Nouvelle édition, divisée en dix livres”, a Bruxelles, chez F. Foppens, M.DC.XCIX. (1699). The FIRST COMPLETE EDITION, in-12o, 1 vol. including 2 tomes of ii,216+228,ii f., pp. RARE Bruxelles edition, published the same year as the first edition (Paris, Barbin). Tutor to the Duke of Burgundy, grandson of Louis XIV, Fénelon composed this pedagogical novel for his pupil aimed at introducing him to morals and politics as much as to ancient texts. The work is perceived as a criticism of royal absolutism and brings about the disgrace of Fénelon. Due to its critical and liberal approach, the work condemned by Luis XIV and the Pope Innocent XII. Brunet (II, 1210/2) states that the first edition was supressed and that this one as well the Liege one was printed in France. See Graesse II, 563/4 for the Paris edition. But the book was a huge success, turned to be one of the most published books of French literature and served as a model for generations of educators. A lot of editions therefore, but very few copies in circulation date from 1699. This text is constructed as an adventure novel inspired by Homers Odyssey. Telemachus, son of Ulysses, goes in search of his father and encounters, during his perilous journey, all the peoples of Antiquity. These episodes are so many opportunities to present to his young pupil, in an attractive form, different types of government and authority. The novel depicts a struggle between Good and Evil. Mythology provides a framework but the situations also allow us to evoke the great figures of the Bible. It is Wisdom that leads the hero and invites him to establish peace between men in the name of universal brotherhood. Full contemporary calfskin, guilt spine with 5 raised bands solid but with cracks on hinges, corners bumped, red morocco title etiquette. Marbled end papers; browning and spotting throughout, otherwise clean and tight. Good and RARE copy.