Histoire généalogique des branches de la maison de Béthune, existantes en Flandre et en Artois, et connues pendant plusieurs siecles sous le nom de Desplanques [...]

The rare first edition, and only edition of this work. Illustrated with numerous tables, a large folding plate showing the armorial genealogy of the Desplanques, heraldic figures in the text, and a notable feature of this book, 15 medallion portraits "au physionotrace" (a process invented by Louis Chrétien and developed by Edmé Quenedey in the style of wash engraving, whose signatures can be found at the bottom of the portraits with the date and place of their creation). Also noteworthy is the presence of a 4-page supplement with a plate of coats of arms on fine blue paper.
Near-contemporary half blonde sheep binding. Smooth spine decorated with 4 tools and roulettes. Gilt title. A tear at head with loss. Restoration to leaves 3 and 4 in margin, due to dampstain. External and lower borders with tears.
19th-century armorial bookplate: former library of the château du Plessis-Brion.
As announced in the foreword, the author's purpose is not to establish the history of the house of Bethune, already written by Du Chesne, but to demonstrate by all the evidence at his disposal that the Desplanques descend directly from Robert I, lord of Bethune, the first representative of the branch in 970. The ducal and princely house of Béthune is among the oldest and most illustrious houses of France and Europe; most of the princes of Europe are affiliated with it, not to mention those especially of the house of France; its most famous representative was the Duke of Sully.