Traite Complet du Jeu de Trictrac [i.e. Tric-Trac]. avec figures; contenant les principes et regles de ce jeu, avec des tables de calculs qui ne se trouvent dans aucun des traites connu de Guiton, N. (l'aine) - 1816

Paris: L. G. Michaud et Chez Delaunay, 1816. First Edition. Good. 8vo. [4], 310, [2] = 316 pp., COMPLETE. Bound in contemporary red straight-grained morocco, elaborately gold tooled, gilt floral roll border with double roll around sides, smooth spine with gilt ornamental tools, monogram "J.B." crowned with a wreath, in gilt on both covers, pale blue silk pastedowns and endpapers (a little frayed). Corners bumped, some rubbing along hinges. The text is browned and foxed; priced accordingly. Strategies of Tric-Trac, a French variant of Backgammon played with pegs, in a lovely contemporary French red morocco binding. Tric-Trac originated in France in the 17th century (the name is derived from the clicking sound of the game pieces). It belongs to the "Tables" category of board games (which are in fact among the oldest board games in the world) and is played on a board with two rows of 12 vertical markings called "points". Players roll dice to determine the movement of pieces.

One might suggest that this book was bound for Josephine Bonaparte, as the lovely binding is adorned with the monogram "J.B." crowned with a wreath, although she died at Malmaison two years before the present volume was printed. By way of comparison, see Sotheby's 18 December 2014 lot 88, an Almanach Imperial dated 1810 with the same monogram and wreath.