Louis XIV.

190 numbered pages, plus 4 pages of contents, folio (362 x 235mm), on paper, contemporary mottled calf gilt, fleurs-de-lys at corners, arms of Louis XIV in centre, title lettered in gilt on upper cover ("Etat et menu general....annee 1697"), spine gilt in compartments with fleurs-de-lys, marbled endpapers, signed on final page by d'Ussé, controller-general of the household, as a true copy of the original, engraved book-plate ("R. Oliver"), 1697, joints skilfully repaired, sides rubbed; together with a notarial document of 1779 by which Antoine-Claude Maille, "vinaigrier du roy", agrees to lease a property in Ville d'Avray, modern boards, 2 volumes in all

Hroar Dege (lot 364)

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

An important source for any study of the court of the Sun King. These accounts paint a vivid picture of the hierarchical society of the court and the sums disbursed on food and wine. Beginning with lists of the people entitled to eat at the various tables, and the amounts spent on bread and wine for the year, the manuscript continues with an account of the "Menu de la table du roy de deux plats, deux assiettes et cinq services et les hors d'oeuvres" (for which, at dinner, the "6 petites entrees hors d'oeuvres" comprised "3 perdrix au jus, 6 tourtes a la braize, 2 d'Indons grillés, 3 poullets gras aux trufes, 4 perdreaux, 2 poulardes depecées aux trufes"). Besides prodigious quantities of meat and fowl, many fruits and vegetables are listed, including cucumbers, artichokes, morilles and mousserons, oranges and lemons. Weekly expenditure for the king's table was more than 236 livres. There follow details of the supplies for jours gras and jours maigres for the various tables, accounts for firewood and candles, and new year and other gifts. A section is devoted to payments for the various court musicians (trumpets, crumhorns, oboes, musettes, violins, drums and fifes). Another section details the amount of extra candles required when the king is in residence at the Tuileries or his other palaces at Saint Germain-en-Laye, Fontainebleau or Versailles. Separate lists give details of payments to the brigade of musketeers, to the king's physicians, and to actors who perform at court (the latter being entitled to bread and table wine, and firewood in winter). At the end of the volume there appear accounts for the household of the Dauphin and of the royal dukes of Burgundy and Berry.