Paris (France)

Original etching in plano, enhanced color to the coil, untrimmed, extracted from the 'Imperial Edition' of the Description of Egypt or Series observations and research made in Egypt during the French expedition, published by order of His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon the Great. Conducted between 1802 and 1830 and published between 1809 and 1828, she was taken in 1000 copies available to institutions. Laid the watermark visible by transparency ancient and modern Egypt paper. Tiny bites with discrete and marginal invasion of engraving, otherwise excellent freshness and preservation. The monumental first edition of the Description of Egypt in 13 volumes contained 892 colored plates of which 72, including 9 volumes involved antiquity. The other volumes dealt with the Natural History and modern Egypt as Napoleon Bonaparte had brought with him a commission of scholars from all disciplines so that, they said, in his description was stored the richest museum of universe. The work was written in part by Baron Dominique Vivant Denon, before he became DG of Napoleon in the Louvre Museum. More than 80 artists and 400 writers were hired for this huge project. The dimensions of the exceptionally large boards necessitated the creation of a special press and a specific piece of furniture to keep them ...!

First edition, one of 31 numbered copies on vélin d'Arches and re-imposed in Tellière quarto format, the tirage de tête with 6 Japon and 15 Montval.
A very good copy with double cover, chemise and slipcase.

First edition, one of 45 numbered copies on Hollande, tirage de tête.
Tiny stains, not serious, to the spine, a very attractive copy.

First retail edition, an advance (service de presse) copy.
Handsome autograph inscription signed by Jean Genet to (Maurice) Merleau-Ponty.
Spine slightly faded, paper yellowed as usual (given the inferior quality of the paper), complete with its advertising slip.

First edition strictement hors commerce, one of 43 numbered copies on Arches, the only printing with 7 Japon.
Tiny marginal stains, not serious, to foot of the covers.

First edition, one of 10 numbered copies on vélin de Renage, tirage de tête.
Illustrated with 12 original collages by Max Bucaille.
Preface by J. Laude.
Covers slightly sunned in the margins, insignificantly, otherwise a rare and very good copy.

First edition, one of 75 numbered copies on Japan paper, the tirage de tête.
This copy retains its original frontispiece etching by Wilfredo Lam, signed by the artist in color pencil.
Author’s signature to justification page.
A very good copy.

First edition for which there were no large paper copies.
Autograph inscription from the author.
Iconography, a good copy.

Second edition, but first for many parts, as reworked and expanded.
Contemporary half bronze sheep over marbled paper boards, spine in five compartments with slender bands decorated with double fillets and gilt dots (very lightly rubbed), black morocco title label, date to spine, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, ex libris inside upper cover.
Complete with its four folding plates at end and 32 additional illustrations.
A little spotting, essentially at the beginning of the work.
Rare.

First edition collective on ordinary paper.
Une claire insolation to foot of spine, otherwise a good copy.

First edition on ordinary paper, there was only 20 large paper copies.
Autograph inscription from Alexandre Zevaes.

New edition, after l'originale de 1771.
Contemporary sheep, spine with decorated raised bands, head-piece worns, foot of spine of volume I worn, traces of rubbing all over, one corner rubbed.

First edition, one of 30 numbered copies on Japon, this one not justified, tirage de tête.
Tiny marginal foxings, not serious, on the spine and the lower cover, a good copy.