Histoire de Russie

First edition, illustrated with 2 large folding maps, of western Russia and eastern Russia.
Contemporary full marbled calf bindings, spines with raised bands decorated, roulettes at head and foot. Red morocco title label, black wax volume labels. One wormhole along the upper joint at the foot of volume I. Upper joint of volume 3 nibbled for 3 cm. A tear at the foot of volume 2, with a small cut at the headcap. Volume labels rubbed. Corners rubbed. Handsome copy.
Levesque spent 7 years in Saint Petersburg during which he was a professor under the protection of Diderot who allowed him to consult the archives and documents necessary for the completion of his work, which forms the most accomplished history of Russia at the end of the 18th century. The work exercised a decisive influence on the image of Russia in Europe and on Russian historiographers. The accuracy of the facts and the quality of the narrative contributed to making Levesque's Histoire de la Russie a classic work in Russia.
Maccarthy Fitz-John bookplate.