Fine 18th Century Illustrated Books

Roland LE VAYER DE BOUTIGNY, Charles EISEN
Tarsis et Zélie
Chez Musier fils|à Paris 1774|14.50 x 23.50 cm|6 volumes reliés
New illustrated edition in first printing. The illustration comprises three frontispieces by Cochin, Moreau and Eisen, engraved by Gaucher, Ponce and Née; and 20 head-pieces by Eisen, engraved by Helman, De Longueil, Masquelier and Massard. Elegant illustrated work with careful page layout, printed on deluxe Holland paper, which explains why the work takes up considerably more space than the ordinary printing on laid paper, here 6 volumes against the usual 3.
Full speckled brown sheep binding ca 1800. Smooth spine decorated with 2 grotesque compartments, a fleuron and roulettes at tail. Orange morocco title and volume labels. Foliage frieze framing the boards. Rubbing. 3 corners...
€800
DESTOUCHES
Oeuvres
Arkstée & Merkus|Amsterdam • & Leipzig 1755-1759|9.50 x 15 cm|5 volumes reliés
Edition illustrated with a portrait of the author engraved by Fokke, 24 figures engraved on copper by Fritsch after Aartman and a copperplate fleuron repeated on the first four titles. Copy entirely ruled.
Later bindings in full red morocco, signed Bauzonnet-Trautz. Spine with five raised bands decorated with gilt fillets and dotted lines. Boards framed with triple gilt fillets. Double gilt fillet emphasizing the leading edges. Gilt dentelle framing the doublures.
Some rubbing and spine slightly faded, otherwise handsome copy.
€800
First illustration of Zimeo, the first Black insurgent hero in French literature
First illustration of Zimeo, the first Black insurgent hero in French literature
Jean-François de SAINT-LAMBERT, [SA'ADI]
Les Saisons, poëme. [The Seasons. Followed by Abenaki, Sara Th..., Ziméo, Fugitive Pieces, and Oriental Fables]
S. n.|Paris 1775|-|relié
Seventh edition, first to illustrate Zimeo, adorned with 7 plates by Moreau le Jeune: a frontispiece and 4 plates for Les Saisons, engraved by Delaunay, Duclos, Prévost and Simonet, and 2 plates for the Contes, Poésies fugitives and Fables orientales, together with 4 headpiece vignettes by Choffard. Our copy is further enriched with separate pulls of the title-page ornament and Choffard's vignettes.
Nineteenth-century binding in full midnight-blue morocco. Five-raised-band spine decorated with pastoral flowers (vine, wheat and billhook, game and hunting horn...) and gilt compartments. Triple gilt fillet and...
€1,200
Jean François de LA HARPE
Tangu et Félime. Poeme en IV chants
Chez Pissot|[Paris] 1780|11.50 x 19 cm|relié
First edition, illustrated with a frontispiece and 4 fine figures by Marillier engraved by Ponce, De Ghendt... and printed on strong paper. Rare copy entirely ruled, even for the figures.
Full navy morocco binding ca 1860 signed Arnaud. Raised-band spine decorated. Title and date in gilt. Triple gilt fillet frame on boards. Rich interior border. Edges gilt. Minor traces of rubbing to upper joint at head. Very handsome copy.
La Harpe drew the substance of his poem from an Arab tale, which was taken up by the Provençals in the romance Fortunatus, then at the beginning of the 18th century: Les aventures d'Abdalla.
19th-century ecclesiastical armorial bookplate, gold on red...
€550
Charles EISEN, Roland LE VAYER DE BOUTIGNY
Tarsis et Zélie
Chez Musier fils|à Paris 1774|14.50 x 21.50 cm|relié
New illustrated edition in first printing. The illustration comprises three frontispieces by Cochin, Moreau and Eisen, engraved by Gaucher, Ponce and Née; and 20 headpieces by Eisen, engraved by Helman, De Longueil, Masquelier and Massard. Elegant illustration with careful page layout.
Full blonde tortoiseshell calf bindings. Spines with five raised bands decorated with gilt compartments and fleurons, as well as red and green sheep title and volume labels. Covers framed with triple gilt fillets. Gilt dentelles framing the pastedowns. All edges gilt. Head and foot of first volume with small lacks, those of the other two volumes rubbed. Five corners bumped. Numerous and scattered foxing...
€800
Jean-François MARMONTEL
Chefs-d'oeuvre dramatiques, ou recueil des meilleures pieces du théâtre françois, tragique, comique et lyrique
De l'imprimerie de Grangé|à Paris 1773|22 x 29 cm|relié
First edition, admirably and finely illustrated with 3 figures, 15 headpieces, and 10 tailpieces, all by Eisen and engraved by de Launay the younger, Helman, Masquelier, Née and Ponce. Printed on deluxe paper.
Contemporary full mottled calf binding. Decorated spine with raised bands, gilt rolls at head and foot. Red morocco title label. Triple gilt fillet frame on covers. All edges gilt. Fragile headcap with lacks, same at foot. Very beautiful mottling on covers (green, red, beige). Despite small defects, handsome copy, in a luxury binding, and of great freshness.
The volume, besides the preliminary pieces, with essays on the dramatic genre by Marmontel, brings together three...
€800
Jean François de LA HARPE
Tangu et Félime. Poeme en IV chants
Chez Pissot|Paris 1780|16 x 24 cm|relié
First edition, illustrated with a frontispiece and 4 fine figures by Marillier engraved by Ponce, De Ghendt...
Full dark blue paper boards binding, late 19th century. Gilt title and date at foot. Uncut copy, bound as issued, partly with conjugate leaves; the sheets containing the engravings are of smaller format; the bluish covers have been preserved. The bound format corresponding to a 12mo. Fine copy, in a modest binding.
La Harpe drew the substance of his poem from an Arabic tale, which was later adapted by the Provençals in the romance Fortunatus, then at the beginning of the 18th century: Les aventures d'Abdalla.
€200
Roland LE VAYER DE BOUTIGNY
Tarsis et Zélie
Chez Musier fils|à Paris 1774|13 x 21.80 cm|relié
New illustrated edition in first printing. The illustrations comprise three frontispieces by Cochin, Moreau and Eisen, engraved by Gaucher, Ponce and Née; and 20 head-pieces by Eisen, engraved by Helman, De Longueil, Masquelier and Massard. Elegant illustrated work with careful layout.
Half olive green morocco binding with corners, late 19th century unsigned in a master binding. Spine with raised bands, decorated. Gilt title and date at tail. Gilt fillets on boards. Top edge gilt. Very pale dampstain on the first 4 leaves of volume II, at mid-page. Very handsome copy, perfectly established and of great freshness.
Novel originally published in 1665, which received its first...
€850
ANACRÉON, SAPHO
Anacréon, Sapho, Bion et Moschus, traduction nouvelle en Prose, suivie De la veillée des fêtes de Vénus, et d'un choix de pièces de différents auteurs. Par M. M*** C**
Chez Le Boucher|à Paphos • & se trouve à Paris 1773|14 x 22.20 cm|relié
First edition of this translation by Moutonnet de Clairfonds, and first issue of the illustration, which comprises a frontispiece, 12 headpieces and 13 tailpieces by Eisen, engraved by Massard and Duclos. Title page in red and black.
Full red morocco binding, late 19th century, signed Pickering. Jansenist spine with raised bands. Wide inner decorative border. Edges gilt. Small brown stains on upper cover. Despite the minor defects noted, a very fine copy.
Cohen rightly cites this work as "one of the most elegantly illustrated books of the 18th century"; Eisen's contribution is indeed delicate and inspired, and the headpiece engravings are superbly executed.
€800
First illustrated edition of Ziméo, a pioneering anti-slavery tale of the Enlightenment
First illustrated edition of Ziméo, a pioneering anti-slavery tale of the Enlightenment
Jean-François de SAINT-LAMBERT
Les Saisons, poëme. [The Seasons. Followed by Abenaki, Sara Th..., Ziméo, Fugitive Pieces, and Oriental Fables]
S. n.|à Amsterdam 1775|14 x 23 cm|relié
Seventh edition, first issue of Moreau le Jeune's illustrations, adorned with 7 plates: a frontispiece and 4 plates for Les Saisons, engraved by Delaunay, Duclos, Lebas and Prévost, and 2 plates for the Contes, Poésies fugitives and Fables orientales, together with headpiece vignettes by Choffard, reprinted from the first edition of 1769.
Contemporary full calf binding. Richly decorated smooth spine. Red morocco lettering-piece. Boards in mottled calf (with Greek-key border) added at a later date during restoration. Worn corners. A split to the upper joint extending 5 cm. A very good copy overall.
€450
Jean-François REGNARD
Œuvres complètes
chez la veuve Duchesne et fils • De l' imprimerie de Monsieur|à Paris 1790|12.50 x 20 cm|reliés
The finest and most complete edition of Regnard, when it properly contains the fifth and sixth volumes, printed in small numbers (as Cohen indicates), and which are rarely found together with the first four.
It is illustrated with a portrait of the author by Rigaud engraved by Tardieu and 11 fine figures by Moreau and Marillier, engraved by Delignon, Duponchel, etc. The remarks and prefaces are by Garnier.
Contemporary full tree calf binding. Spine with raised bands decorated with 4 stars and fillets. Red morocco title and volume labels. Framing fillet on covers. Lacking at foot of volume 1 and at head of volume 3. Joints of volume 2 cracked. Despite some defects, quite a handsome...
€1,200
John GAY
Fables
Printed for J. and R. Tonson|London 1737 - 1742|12 x 19.50 cm|2 tomes reliés en un volume
Fifth edition statement for the first volume, and second edition for the second. The first volume was first published in 1727, with a sequel added in 1738. It is illustrated with a frontispiece by Scottin (placed at the head of the second volume and dated 1738), two title vignettes, 51 headpieces by Kent and Wooton in the first volume and 16 large figures by Gravelot for volume II.
Later full calf binding. Spine ca. 1800, decorated with cold-stamped fillets and roulettes. The flamed calf boards have been added. Rubbing. One corner trimmed. One corner restored. 2 small lacks to headcaps.
€500
Johan van HEEMSKERK
BATAVISCHE ARCADIA, waar in, onder 't loof-werck van liefkooserytjes, gehandelt werdt, van den oorspronck van 't oud Batavien, vryheydt der Bataviers, vrye zee, zee-vonden, vinders van verburgen schatten, verbeurt-maecken van goederen, uyt-perssen der waarheid door pynigen, onheyl van de lanckwyligheyde der rechts-plegingen, en andere diergelycke ernstige saken meer
By Adriaan Wor|Te Amsteldam [Amsterdam] 1729|9.50 x 16.50 cm|relié
New edition, after the complete original of 1647. Illustrated with a title-frontispiece by Delin, engraved by Laan, a title vignette, a frontispiece and 5 folding plates unsigned.
Full flexible vellum binding. Smooth spine with title in black ink. Endpapers detached. Title-frontispiece trimmed short with a slight lack to the right edge. Similarly, the title page shows a slight lack to the right margin, as does the frontispiece. Plate 5 has been partially backed with old paper. Leaf 201 restored in margin and some leaves frayed in right margin, over 1 cm.
The first Dutch pastoral novel, L'arcadie hollandaise enjoyed great success in its country. The edition was accomplished by a...
€450
Samuel RICHARDSON
Pamela, ou la vertu recompensée
Aux dépens de la Compagnie|à Amsterdam 1744|9.50 x 16.20 cm|relié
New edition, illustrated with 32 figures by Punt and a title vignette repeated on all 4 volumes. Title pages in red and black. This appears to be the first edition to be fully illustrated, as previous editions presented only four frontispieces, however it should be noted that the figures bear the date 1742. The mention of third edition refers only to Dutch editions and is therefore not significant. Translation by Abbé Prévost and Aubert de la Chesnaye des Bois.
Contemporary full brown sheep binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Red morocco title and volume labels. Head of volume I split at head. A lack at head of volume II. A lack to the upper joint at foot of volume I. Tailpiece...
€600
Giovanni Ambrogio MARINI
Les desesperés, histoire héroïque
Chez Pierre Prault|à Paris 1732|9.50 x 17 cm|2 tomes reliés en un volume
French first edition translated (and arranged) by Jean Serré de Rieux; illustrated with 9 figures including a frontispiece by Humblot, engraved by Baquoy. Not in Cohen (Livres à gravures du XVIIIe).
Contemporary full calf binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Red morocco title label. Head of spine weakened. Lacks at each joint at head and tail. Rubbing and scuffing to lower board particularly with lack at the joint of the fourth compartment. One tear p.97 in lower margin with lack. Corners slightly bumped.
Marini is a 17th century writer who belongs to the last wave of Italian chivalric romances. The novel features the prince of Babylon, knight of death, and the princess of...
€400
Charles PALISSOT DE MONTENOY
Oeuvres
Chez Clement Plonteux|à Liège 1777|12.50 x 20.50 cm|relié
Statement of new edition, considerably expanded. Several volumes were indeed added to this edition, in addition to the illustrations. Illustrated with a portrait by Monet as frontispiece to volume I and 4 figures by Meon. Volume II: 4 figures by Meon. Volume III: 10 figures by Monnet. Very fine illustration, careful and refined. Remarkably executed edition.
Contemporary glazed blonde calf binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Garnet morocco title label and red morocco volume labels (with roulettes). Roulette at tail and headcap. Triple fillet frame on boards. Upper joint fragile at tail of volume I; this volume also has a small tear with loss at tail. A loss of one cm at head of...
€950
Louis-Élisabeth de La Vergne TRESSAN
Oeuvres Choisies Du Comte De Tressan, avec figures
Desray • Giguet] • [ Maradan|A Paris, rue et hôtel Serpente 1791|12 x 19.80 cm|relié
First collected edition, illustrated with a frontispiece portrait (engraved by de Launay after Bérel) and 20 figures by Marillier engraved by Delvaux, de Ghendt, Croutelle, Patas, Langlois jeune, de Monchy, de Launay. Volumes 11 and 12 comprise the author's posthumous works and bear volume numbers 1 and 2 on the title page. A third volume of these posthumous works would appear in 1800.
Contemporary full speckled calf. Smooth spine decorated with urn tools and stars; roulettes. Framing frieze on boards. Morocco title and volume labels in black. Headcaps of volumes 1, 4, 5, 8, 11 and 12 worn or partially worn. Foot caps of volumes 1, 2, 4, 6, likewise. Title and volume labels of volume 4...
€800
HELIODORE
Les amours de Théagène et Chariclée. Histoire éthiopique
S. n.|à Londres [London] 1743|9.50 x 15 cm|2 volumes reliés
First printing of this illustrated edition whose translation by Abbé Desfontaines was first published in 1729. One frontispiece, 5 figures for volume I and 6 for volume II, including the plate entitled Conclusion which is often lacking, and 10 title headpieces. The plates are unsigned. A handsome edition, well printed.

Contemporary full marbled glazed calf binding. Smooth spine decorated (grape cluster tools). Red morocco title and volume labels. Triple fillet frame on boards. All edges gilt. 2 corners slightly bumped. Handsome copy.

L'Histoire Ethiopique is undoubtedly, along with L'âne d'or by Apuleius, the most famous of the Latin and Greek novels...
€600
Luis de OLOD
Tratado del Origen y Arte de Escribir Bien...
en la imprenta de Carlos Sapera.|Barcelona 1768|21 x 31 cm|relié
First edition (the 1766 edition being a fictitious statement for 1770) illustrated with 25 calligraphic plates, of which the last three are only the different alphabets, Samaritan, Arabic... likewise the three preceding plates are not engraved plates (floral capital letters). Of note on p. 40 is a large vignette representing an abecedary in a circle whose center is a star. The leaf following the title is also an engraved plate, it is the dedication to the king, with his portrait in a medallion, a succession of loops forming the figure and the decoration. We have been unable to determine if this first edition contained the author's portrait found in the 1770 editions, which moreover possess...
€1,300
Arnaud BERQUIN
Romances
imprimerie de Moutardier|à Paris 1796|10.50 x 14 cm|deux parties reliées en un volume
New illustrated edition of these Romances. One frontispiece and 13 unsigned figures, and 44 pages of engraved music. Printed on heavy laid paper.
Contemporary full tree-calf binding. Smooth spine decorated with arabesques and fleurons. Triple fillet border on covers. All edges gilt. Handsome copy. Light rubbing to corners and joints.
Berquin's poetry enjoyed immense success, and was consequently qualified as popular, while it perfectly reflects European literature of the late 18th century, and one sometimes feels the first Romanticism coming from Germany and England. Some poems are dark and theatrical, full of Gothic reminiscences: « Sous la tour du château s'ouvre une enceinte...
€350