Bance aîné

First edition of this architectural collection, published in Paris in 1821 by Bance aîné and comprising seventy-two numbered etched plates. These are preceded by two distinct preliminary elements: a letterpress title page giving the author’s name as “Schuelt”, and a fully engraved title with a vignette signed by Henry J. Picou, retaining the earlier title Recueil de divers motifs d’architecture and spelling the name “Seheult”. The coexistence of these forms reflects the historical instability of the family name, which was only gradually standardised as Seheult through subsequent civil-status corrections.

 

New edition published under the auspices of a society of men of letters.
Bradel binding in half brown shagreen, smooth spines decorated with double gilt and black fillets, gilt stippling at head and foot of spines, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns.
The atlas volume containing 54 battles and 100 portraits of the most illustrious generals is lacking from our copy.
Some minor foxing.