Relation historique de la peste de Marseille en 1720

12mo, 100 x 150 mm (4 x 6 inches), [xii], 512 pages. Contemporary calf, gilt-decorated spine, raised bands; light external wear; staining from old tape to front free endpaper and title page; title page and first and last two text pages chipped; pages age-toned; good condition overall.

The last major outbreak of bubonic plague in Western Europe killed 50,000 in Marseille and 50,000 in the adjacent region from 1720-1722. This account by Marseille physician Jean-Baptiste Bertrand (1670-1752) is the most detailed eyewitness account to survive. He was honored by the authorities for his tireless work through inclusion on the official plague monument erected in 1802.

This first edition was published anonymously under the fictitious imprint "à Cologne, chez Pierre Marteau," suggesting that Bertrand was concerned about potential censorship. A review of online copies reveals that there were at least two "Marteau" editions in 1721, with different title pages but clearly printed from the same set type. A reset "Marteau" edition appeared in 1723. The first edition to credit Bertrand appeared in 1779, with the imprint "A Amsterdam, Et se vend A Marseille, Chez Jean Mossy, Imprimeur du Roi, de la Marine, & Libraire, au Parc." Amsterdam sounds potentially spurious, suggesting there was still concern about censorship fifty years later, even though the imprint of the bookseller Mossy shows the book was clearly intended for public sale.