Paris

The standard edition, as established by Chéruel, with a steel-engraved portrait of the author by Colin after Fath, printed on chine collé paper. One of 100 large paper copies on Superfin paper.
Contemporary half light brown morocco over marbled paper boards, spine in six compartments with gilt compartments and fleurons, gilt fillet to covers, top edge gilt.
Some corners very slightly rubbed, otherwise a very good copy.
From the collection of Henri Bordes (ex libris). Another ex libris from the Bibliotheca Brendanense. Spine of some volumes a little faded, but otherwise an attractive copy, very nicely bound. Light spotting.

first edition.
Bound in half red shagreen, back with five nerves decorated with gilded floral patterns, marbled paper plates, guards and contreplats of handmade paper, small traces of rubbing heads boards, sprinkled edges, contemporary binding.
autograph dedication of the author signed autograph of Paul Meurice P. Déchard.
Pleasant copy drawn in a contemporary binding.

Edition illustrated with 14 hors-texte engravings and a folding genealogical table.
Half black shagreen bindings, spine with four raised bands set with gilt garlands decorated with quintuple gilt and black compartments, double gilt fillet frame on black paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, some corners slightly bumped without significance, a small crack in the joint of volume seven, speckled edges.
Handsome set in uniform binding.

Later edition with a portrait of the author by Aug. St Aubin after Houdon’s bust and 152 plates by Moreau le Jeune. This copy also includes ten folding plates of mathematical figures, a lithographed note by the King of Prussia and Voltaire, a lithographed letter from Voltaire to Bertrand, another lithographed letter from Voltaire and a table of sounds and music.
Contemporary dark blue half calf, spine in five compartments with dentelles and gilt fillets as well as fleurons and blindruled fillets, marbled edges.
A little foxing, otherwise a very good copy.

Second edition printed on Holland paper.
Binding blue half morocco with corners, back with five nerves set with ornate golden double dotted ornate gilded coffered, framing gilded nets on marbled paper plates, guards and contreplats of handmade paper, gilded head, elegant binding unsigned.
Provenance: Library of Jules Janin with his bookplate pasted on a contreplat and signed an autograph autograph dedication of the author of printer Jules Claye: "A friend Jules Janin ..."
Beautiful copy pleasantly established.