Histoire d'Angleterre représentée par figures

The very rare first edition, augmented with a third volume published 16 years later, in 1800, and devoted to colonial wars in Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Canada and the American War of Independence. It is superbly illustrated with 111 figures hors-texte in sanguine engraved by François Anne DAVID on heavy paper after drawings by Monet, Lejeune, Gois and Binet. Printed on fine laid paper.
Publisher's binding in full marbled and glazed blonde calf. Spine with raised bands handsomely decorated with 4 compartmented fleurons. Red morocco title label, and green morocco volume label. Triple fillet border. Roulette on the edges and inner. Gilt edges with the use of superior gold. A lack at the head of volume I; upper joint split at head and foot. Headcap of volume II torn off; upper and lower joints split at head. In volume III, a lack to the upper joint at head, upper and lower joints split at head. Most corners slightly bumped.
Despite the defects, handsome set in a quality binding with superb marbling on the boards.
This deluxe publishing enterprise, entirely directed by François Anne David, was done by subscription and was only printed in 450 copies. It is the very example of the art book, the illustration being on equal footing with the text. David neglected nothing to achieve perfection, calling upon the best historians of his time and the best draughtsmen. The text of the first two volumes is by Guillaume Germain Guyot and Pierre Le Tourneur. The third volume was written by Jean-Baptiste Milcent.