Histoire de la ville de Paris

First edition illustrated with a frontispiece engraved by Simonneau after Hallé, 3 vignettes by Cochin or Simonneau, a large folding plan by Coquart and 32 plates, most often folding, engraved by Hérisset, Lucas or Avéline; they offer a view of all the principal monuments of the capital, including three beautiful views drawn "sur le naturel" by Chaufourier showing the Pont Neuf and the Quai Conti from Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois, the Île Saint-Louis and the Quai Saint-Bernard, the Collège des Quatre Nations up to the Pont Royal from the Louvre.

The famous plan of Paris (68 x 90 cm) predates that of Turgot by fifteen years. The last three volumes contain the numerous supporting documents and proofs and were organized by Lobineau; these form the public archives of the city.

Contemporary bindings in full brown calf. Spines with six raised bands decorated with gilt compartments and fleurons, as well as red morocco title and volume labels. Joints cracked and most headcaps missing. All edges red.
The most monumental work and undoubtedly the finest book published on Paris in the early 18th century. Although death surprised the author during the writing of his work, it was continued by Lobineau, another member of the famous scholarly congregation of the Benedictines of Saint Maur, who himself died in 1727. This major study which Paris was lacking was originally commissioned by the provost of merchants Jérôme Bignon (1711-1772) and it forms the first official history of the capital and an unprecedented documentary source; and it is undoubtedly through this that this history shines with particular brilliance: the extremely important documentation devoted to the history of Paris, the rigor of the analyses and hypotheses.

It was following this work that Turgot made the decision to gather at the registry of the Hôtel de Ville a library devoted to the city of Paris in order to continue the work of the two historians, giving birth to the Historical Library of the city of Paris.

The history of the city is preceded by two dissertations, the first by Le Roy on the origins of the hôtel de ville which was the first political government of Paris, the second on the explanation of the antiquities found at Notre-Dame.