Mémoires du Comte de Grammont : histoire amoureuse de la cour d'Angleterre sous Charles II / par Antoine Hamilton ; préface et notes par Benjamin Pifteau 1876

This is the 20 cm-tall volume, Mémoires du Comte de Grammont, written by Count Anthony Hamilton. Born in Ireland to Scottish parents, Hamilton spent much of his life in France, becoming known for his wit and literary talent. This book, a work of historical fiction, delves into the amorous escapades of the court of Charles II of England. The narrative is framed around the life of Philibert, Count of Gramont, an exiled French nobleman known for his charm and involvement in the English court's intrigues. The shiny red leather hints at the passionate tales within, while the ornate gold tooling speaks to the opulence of the world Hamilton describes. Hamilton, as an outsider to the English court, offers a perspective that both admires and gently satirizes the lives of the aristocracy. He explores themes of love, betrayal, and social maneuvering through the lens of gossip and anecdote. The book serves not just as a chronicle of events, but as a mirror reflecting the complex social and sexual politics of the era, inviting readers to consider the role of identity and power in shaping personal histories.