Alexandre de LABORDE

First edition, illustrated with a single folding plate bearing two figures: a plan of Algiers and its surroundings (cf. Quérard IV, 343 : does not record the plate and gives xlviii pp. for the "pièces à l'appui" indeed, p. xlviii carries, like the final leaf, the printer's address. Tailliart 2420 : does not record the plate).

Minor marginal losses to the spine and boards, a few light spots.

"Causes de la rupture avec Alger. Historique des rapports de la France avec Alger. Les torts des représentants d'Alger dans la Régence pendant ces dernières années. Ultimatum. Blocus. Nécessité d'une enquête ou au moins d'une information spéciale avant d'entreprendre une expédition. On va dépenser beaucoup d'argent sans profit. Cette guerre n'est pas juste ; elle n'est pas utile ; elle n'est pas légale" [Tailliart].

The supporting documents include : the Treaty of Peace between France and the Regency of Algiers, 17 December 1801; the letter from Mustapha-Pasha, Dey of Algiers, to the First Consul, 13 August 1802; the settlement concerning the claims of Messrs. Bacri and Busnach of Algiers, followed by the law of 24 July 1820 ordering its execution; a notice on the African concessions; and a summary of the debates held in both Chambers on Algerian affairs during the sessions of 1820, 1827, 1828, and 1829.

Author's signed presentation on the half-title: "De la part de l'auteur, 3 avril 1830" (scarcely more than two months before the French landing in Algeria).

First edition, illustrated with a frontispiece, a map (route from Paris to Versailles) and numerous wood engravings in the text by Trimolet, Daubigny, Français, etc. in the romantic manner (text frames, tailpieces, headers, in-text illustrations...). On pages 316, 317, 341 and 412 are empty frames for engravings that were never published. Bibliographers make no distinction between the same work published by Everat printing house in 1839 and this printing by Schneider and Langrand.
Full old red shagreen binding. Spine with false raised bands decorated in gilt compartments. Large ornamental cold-stamped plate on boards with rich frame. Edges gilt. White watered silk endpapers with some stains. Rubbing to upper joint with tiny crack at tail extending 0.5cm. Very fresh throughout with very rare foxing.
Very handsome copy.
Red morocco armorial bookplate of Victor Arthur Des Acres de L'aigle, Marquis de l'Aigle 1809-1893 (Three eagles displayed, marquis crown).
This beautiful publication, perfectly executed, describes and narrates everything that was then known about Versailles, both from the perspective of fine arts and architecture and the lives of those who lived there.

First edition.
Bradel bindings in full dark blue boards, smooth spines decorated with gilt fillets and cold-stamped fleurons, gilt friezes at foot, marbled paper boards, yellow and speckled edges, contemporary bindings.
The atlas contains 29 engraved plates printed separately.
Some rubbing at head and foot of spines with a lack at foot of the fifth volume, small dampstains at foot of front board of the fourth volume and at head of fore-edge, occasional foxing.
Set in uniform boards and complete with its atlas.
One of the most famous works on Spain. Archaeologist and politician, Alexandre de Laborde (1773-1842) was sent in 1800 to Lucien Bonaparte's Embassy in Madrid. Charmed by Spain, he would return there a few years later leading a group of some twenty artists (including Jacques Moulinier, Dutailly, François Ligier, Six, Vivant Denon, Bourgeois, Vauzelle) for the creation of the magnificent folio first edition (Voyage pittoresque et historique en Espagne) whose drawings were entrusted to the execution of some thirty engravers. To compose the Itinéraire descriptif de l'Espagne, Laborde surrounded himself with a team of authors, including his friend Chateaubriand. After a historical and geographical introduction and a notice on travels in Spain, the volumes proceed by province. The author describes not only the cities and monuments, but takes interest in commerce, industry, customs...