Illustrated Books

Emmanuel de LAS CASES
Atlas historique, généalogique chronologique et géographique
De l'Imprimerie de P. Didot l'aîné|Paris 1802-1804|39.50 x 51 cm|relié
First French edition, rare, the first edition having appeared in London in 1801. 33 double pages heightened in colors, being 22 maps (sometimes two per page) published in 8 parts of 4 maps or charts between 1802 and 1826 (Quérard). Edition published under the pseudonym A. Lesage.
Contemporary half sheep binding with corners. Paper boards with glue bordered with gilt rules. Sheep label on front board. Some stains on spine. Paper of boards faded. Some foxing. Quérard, in his France littéraire, reports regarding this work that it would not truly be the work of Las Cases but of an English or Irish clergyman who would have sold his work to the latter who would have published it upon his...
€1,200
Lazzaro SPALLANZANI
Expériences pour servir à l'histoire de la génération des animaux et des plantes. Avec une ébauche de l'histoire des êtres organisés avant leur fécondation par Jean Senebier
Chez Barthélémi Chirol|à Genève [Geneva] 1785|12.50 x 20.60 cm|relié
First French edition, illustrated with 3 folding plates containing numerous figures.

Contemporary marbled blonde calf binding. Spine with raised bands, decorated. Red morocco title label. Two small restorations to upper cover. Handsome copy.

Fundamental work on the theory of generation. The conclusions reached by Spallanzani precede those of Pasteur by nearly a century. He notably refutes the theory of spontaneous generation; it is while working on the refutation of this famous concept that Spallanzani discovers the role of spermatozoa and ovaries in mammals, through his observations on external reproduction in frogs; he will moreover be the first to...
€950
Josias SIMMLER, Johan Jakob LEU
Von dem Regiment de lobl. Eydgenossschaft zwey Bücher / In deren Ersterem ein kurtzgefasste Politische Historie der Helvetisch und Eydgenössischen Sachen / nebst einer Nachricht von der Eydgenossen unter sich selbst und mit frömden Fürsten und Staaten gemachten Bündnussen Ursprung / Beschaffenheit und Haubt-Articuln; In dem Anderen aber eine Beschreibung der Eydgenossen Fridens-und Kriegs-Uebungen / samt der Beschaffenheit des Regiments wie der Eydgenössischen Republic insgemein / also jeder derselben XIII. und zugewandter Städten / und Orthen insbesonder / auch der Regierung deren allseitigen Unterthanen / enthalten; Erstlich mit sonderem Fleiss vor anderhalben Seculo zusamengetragen.?[On the Government of the Laudable Confederation: Two Books, the First Containing a Brief Political History of Helvetic and Confederate Affairs, together with an Account of the Origin, Nature and Main Articles of the Alliances Concluded among the Confederates Themselves and with Foreign Princes and States; the Second a Description of the Confederates' Peace and Wartime Practices, along with the Constitution of the Government both of the Confederate Republic in General and of Each of Its Thirteen Cantons and Associate Cities in Particular, as well as the Governance of Their Respective Subjects]
David Gessner|Zurich [Zurich] 1722|15 x 20 cm|relié
The rare first edition of this revised, commented and annotated edition by Johann Jakob Leu of Josias Simler's major work: "De republica helvetiorum" (1576). With a large folding map of Switzerland by Michael Kauffer after Christoph Weigel. A frontispiece by Fussli, often lacking elsewhere, has not been included with this copy.
Contemporary half vellum with corners. Smooth spine with title in black ink. Boards rubbed. Some marginal foxing. Map reinforced on verso with old paper. A good copy.
Hans Jakob Leu was called upon by the publisher David Gessner to revise Simler's edition: De republica helvetiorum. From 1720, Leu gathered a great quantity of information on the regiments of...
€800
François-Edme GOUGE DE CESSIERE
L'Art d'aimer, nouveau poème en six chants, par Monsieur *****
Aux dépens des Libraires Associés|à Londres [London] 1760|12 x 19.50 cm|relié
New edition, the original in six cantos having appeared in 1750, but first illustrated edition with seven unsigned figures; Cohen attributes the frontispiece to Eisen and the figures to Martinet.
Contemporary full speckled blonde sheep binding. Smooth spine decorated with a red morocco title label, compartments and small gilt floral fleurons. All edges red. Head worn down, two corners slightly bumped, joints cracked and very skillfully restored at head.
The Art of Love by Gouge de Cessière is followed by an Idea of Ovid's Art of Love. Naturally inspired directly by Ovid's illustrious eponymous poem, The Art of Love by Gouge de Cessière is a sort of playful banter on seduction and...
€250
Étienne PASQUIER
Les recherches de la France
Chez Martin Collet|Paris 1633|22 x 34.40 cm|relié
New edition, reprint of the first edition in ten books published in 1621; illustrated with a portrait by Léonard Gautier and a large vignette with royal arms. Title page in red and black. Printed on fine paper.
Contemporary half calf binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Red morocco title label. Head worn. Upper joint cracked at head. Rubbing to boards. Corners slightly bumped. An encyclopedic and highly celebrated work, Les recherches de la France stands out among all works of this kind for its radical novelty. Pasquier can be considered the father of modern history, History emerging then as a discipline and departing from legend and literature. Chapter VII, quite different from...
€950
Sadahide UTAGAWA, Batei SHUJIN
Nanchou Gaishi Buyuden
Sadahide|Edo [Tokyo] 1856|14.50 x 23 cm|cousu
First edition, rare, with 35 engravings, many double page in black, grey, and white (several with grey and black ink wash). The title may be translated as: A History of the Braves of the Southern Court.
10 accordion-stitched volumes. Three different printed covers, the first series comprising three volumes, the second four and the third three. Rubbing. Two volumes with worming to upper margin, one wormhole to centre of book touching engravings.
Numerous scenes of particularly violent combat, with decapitations and gushing blood; Court scenes. The figure of Sadahide is remarkably finely rendered and detailed, the grey and black wash adding contrast and depth.
€1,200
Pierre-Augustin GUYS
Voyage littéraire de la Grèce, ou Lettres sur les Grecs, anciens et modernes, avec un parallèle de leurs moeurs
Chez La veuve Duchesne|Paris 1783|12.50 x 19.50 cm|4 volumes reliés
Third edition illustrated with 10 plates hors-texte including a frontispiece by Dalbou after Hoüel, 5 plates hors-texte by Laurent after Favray and 4 folding plates hors-texte by Laurent after Massit. The first three volumes contain all the letters on Greece, the last contains other opuscules by the author: Essays on Tibullus's Elegies (followed by their translation), The Seasons and Light Poetry.
Numerous floral headpieces and tailpieces (flower baskets, carnations...).
Contemporary full marbled blonde calf binding. Smooth spines decorated with green morocco title and volume labels, small gilt floral fleurons, and gilt dentelle at tail. Triple gilt frames on boards. All edges...
€1,400
Pierre-Simon BALLANCHE
Antigone
De l'imprimerie de Didot l'aîné|Paris 1819|14.50 x 23 cm|relié
First illustrated edition and marked as second edition, after the original, published in 1815 by the same publisher. 6 figures by Bouillon in the antique style engraved by Baquoy. Fine printing on laid paper and elegant typographic execution by Didot.
Contemporary full green straight-grained morocco binding. Smooth spine with 4 flat raised bands, decorated with 3 Restoration stamps, multiple decorative rolls, fillets, etc. Gilt title and date. Covers stamped in blind with a central Restoration roundel; 4 large corner stamps connected by 3 fillets forming a frame. Fine copy, very fresh, some worming on tissue guards and in margins of engravings. Very fine unsigned master binding.
€500
Richard STEELE, Joseph ADDISON
Le Spectateur ou le Socrate moderne, où l'on voit un portrait naïf des Moeurs de ce Siécle
Chez Mérigot|Paris 1754-1755|9.50 x 17 cm|9 volumes reliés
New edition adorned with seven frontispieces by Scotin the elder. The journal first appeared in volume form in 1712.

Contemporary full speckled brown sheep binding. Spine with five raised bands, red morocco title and volume labels, gilt compartments and floral fleurons. All edges red. Head caps of volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 and foot caps of volumes 2, 3, 4 and 9 abraded (some damaged). Corners slightly bumped. Four joints cracked. Pale marginal dampstains to the second volume.

€450
Antoine-Marin LE MIERRE
La peinture, poëme en trois chants
Chez Le Jay|à Paris 1769 S.d.|19 x 25.50 cm|relié
First edition, illustrated with a medallion portrait of Corneille on the title page, and three figures on heavy paper after Cochin, and engraved by Prévost, Ponce and Saint-Aubin.
Contemporary brown sheep binding. Spine with raised bands decorated with 5 fleurons. Red morocco title-label. Roulette on leading edges. Rubbing. 3 corners slightly bumped.
Didactic and lyrical poem, in alexandrines.
€300
Joseph-Aignan SIGAUD DE LA FOND
Description et usage d'un cabinet de physique experimentale
Chez Gueffier|à Paris 1784|12.50 x 20.30 cm|2 volumes reliés
Second edition, illustrated with 51 folding plates (23 for volume I and 28 for the second, at the end of volumes) on heavy paper.
Contemporary full glazed blonde calf binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Red morocco title-label. Gilt and rubbed volume numbering. Various rubbing. Two corners slightly bumped. Good copy, fresh.
An extraordinary pedagogue and demonstrator, Sigaud de la Fond early on attended the courses of Abbé Nollet (no less famous for his experiments in physics and electricity) whom he would succeed, and quickly established an experimental physics cabinet. His experiments were numerous and engaged many fields: electricity, but also phosphorus, toothpaste...
€1,300
BONNE
Carte du Paraguay et partie des pays adjacants
Chez Lattré|Bordeaux 1782|39 x 51 cm|une feuille
First edition.
Mp of the Paraguay, partly in color.
Faint angular dampstain to head.
€150
Pierre LE ROY, Jean PASSERAT
Satyre Menippée, de la vertu du catholicon d'Espagne, et de la tenue des Etats de Paris, à laquelle est ajouté un Discours sur l'interprétation du mot de Higuerio del Infierno, & qui en est l'Auteur.
Chez Les Héritiers De Mathias Kerner • [ Prosp. Durand]|à Ratisbone [Regensburg] • [Paris] 1726|10.70 x 17.70 cm|3 volumes reliés
New edition, illustrated with a frontispiece, 11 figures (numerous portraits) including 2 folding (the procession of the League and the states of the League) and one figure in-text. Title pages in red and black.
Contemporary full speckled glazed brown calf binding. Spine with raised bands decorated with 4 compartmented fleurons. Red morocco title label and black morocco volume label. Head restored, likewise at foot of volumes I and III. Upper joints of volumes I and III restored. Cracks in places on the joints. Fine quality binding showing defects, notably due to restoration.
The most complete early edition, with additions by Prosper Marchand and Godefroy's tables. It inherits all...
€400
POLYBE, Jean-Charles FOLARD
Abrégé des Commentaires de M. de Folard, sur l'Histoire de Polybe
Chez La Veuve Gandouin • Giffart • David • Jombert et Durand|Paris 1754|19.50 x 25.50 cm|relié
First edition, richly illustrated, of the abridged version of the famous commentaries by the Chevalier de Folard, established by the Count of Chabot. 113 copperplate engravings - sometimes folding (Volume I: 51, volume 2: 22 and volume 3: 40) - representing techniques, battle scenes and war machines of Antiquity; including 4 maps and a plan of Cremona.

Full speckled blonde calf binding. Spine with five raised bands decorated with red morocco title and volume labels and gilt compartments and fleurons; gilt dentelles at foot. All edges red. Two head caps worn, the third slightly rubbed. Some wormholes on the spine of the second volume. Two corners slightly bumped. Numerous...
€900
RICHER
Théâtre du monde
Chez Defer de Maisonneuve|à Paris 1788|12.50 x 20 cm|relié
Reissue of the 1775 edition, illustrated with 20 beautiful figures by Moreau le Jeune and Marillier, engraved by De Longueil, Née...

Contemporary full speckled calf binding. Smooth spine handsomely decorated. Pink morocco title label and black morocco volume label. Lacking at headcap of volume IV. 4 corners slightly bumped.

€400
[Christoph Gottlieb RICHTER as] Rabbi Simeon BEN JOCHAI
Das dritte Buch der Historie des Kriegs zwischen den Preussen und ihren Bundesgenossen, und den Oesterreichern und ihren Bundesgenossen, welches beschreibet den Krieg von dem Monat Thebeth, des 5519 Jahrs, bis zu dem 11ten Thebet des 5520ten Jahrs, Nach Rechnung der Christen im 1759sten Jahr[The Third Book of the History of the War between the Prussians and their Allies, and the Austrians and their Allies, which Describes the War from the Month of Tevet of the Year 5519 to the 11th of Tevet of the Year 5520, According to the Christian Reckoning in the Year 1759]
Nürnberg Raspe|Nurnberger [Nuremberg] • (Nuremberg) 1760|10 x 17 cm|relié
First edition, illustrated with 20 figures (battle scenes) at the end of the work. Gothic round typeface.
Contemporary full brown sheep binding. Jansenist spine with raised bands. Tawny morocco title label. Blind title. German binding.
History of the war between Prussia and its allied states and Austria and its allied states. It was Frederick II who triggered the hostilities between the two nations by attempting to seize Silesia, this war took place within the conflict of the Austrian succession.
€600
Henri MAUNDRELL
Voyage d'Alep à Jerusalem, à Pâques en l'année 1697
Chez Guillaume van Poolsum|à Utrecht 1705|9 x 15 cm|relié
Reprint of the rare French first edition published in 1704, illustrated with 9 figures including 5 folding plates of Mount Thabor, Baalbek, the cisterns of Solomon... A Parisian edition was also published in 1705. The English first edition dates from 1703 in Oxford.
Bound in full blonde sheep, root-marbled, later binding (c. 1790). Smooth spine decorated with 5 tools and repeated roulette. Headcap torn off. Two corners bumped.
Chaplain to the English Levant Company in Aleppo, Maundrell accomplished a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 1696 accompanied by 14 coreligionists. The narrative follows the form of a daily journal. The travelers passed through Lebanon and Syria, and Maundrell...
€850
Vincent VOITURE
Les oeuvres de Monsieur de Voiture [Ensemble] Les nouvelles oeuvres de Monsieur de Voiture
Chez Augustin Courbé|à Paris 1650|16.50 x 24 cm|relié
Fifth edition of Voiture's Œuvres, the first of which appeared in 1648; and first edition of the Nouvelles œuvres de Voiture. A frontispiece by Mellan for the first volume, a headpiece and an initial in the epistle and a fine portrait of the author by Champaigne engraved by Nanteuil.
Contemporary full brown sheep binding. Raised spine richly decorated. Red morocco title label. One missing headcap. Tear with loss to upper joint at foot. Rubbing. Good copy.
Voiture (1597-1648) was throughout his life a gallant and a courtier, brilliant in salons and playing games. His epistolary talent earned him long popularity in France for fashionable prose, and his poetry excels in the mannered...
€1,200
RINALDI
Raccolta di vedute antiche e moderne della citta di Roma
Stefano Piale|Roma [Rome] 1816|20.50 x 26 cm|relié
First edition, illustrated with an engraved title page and 26 plates each containing two figures, half-page, drawn and engraved by Rinaldi. The index leaves have been bound before the title page.
Contemporary half brown sheep binding; smooth spine decorated with fillets. Gilt title. Paper partly torn on both boards. Very fresh paper.
Very beautiful series of engravings of views of ancient and modern Rome, with small figures. Some landscape views, notably Neptune's grotto.
€450
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
Joseph CANTEL
De romana republica sive de re militari & civili romanorum
Apud Guilielmum Van de Water|Ultrajecti [Utrecht] • (Utrecht) 1707|9 x 15.50 cm|relié
New edition, which follows the original edition of 1684; there were three editions before this last one but only this one contains an illustration, the plates were borrowed from other works, notably that of Justus Lipsius. Illustrated with a title-frontispiece by Mulder after Hoet, 1 folding map, and 12 figures of which 7 folding engraved in copper by Doesburgh, Stuur and van Vianen.
Contemporary full glazed brown calf binding. Decorated raised band spine. Black morocco title label. Missing one endpaper before the title. Upper joint cracked, and lower joint partially cracked. A 3 cm tear to the plate on p. 219 in the margin.
Scholar and erudite of the Jesuit society, Joseph Cantel...
€650
Louis MAIMBOURG
Histoire du calvinisme
Chez Sébastien Mabre-Cramoisy|à Paris 1682|19 x 26.50 cm|relié
First edition, illustrated with a handsome frontispiece title by Sevin, engraved by S. Gautrel, a title headpiece by Pollain engraved by Le Pautre, 7 decorative initials and 6 large and handsome tailpieces, as well as 6 historiated headpieces at chapter openings by Pollain. Printer's device on title page. A rather carefully produced edition, finely ornamented and illustrated, with wide margins.
Contemporary full brown sheep binding. Raised band spine decorated. Red morocco title label. Worn headcaps. Upper joint cracked. 2 corners slightly bumped.
This history of Calvinism presented as a major heresy generated numerous complaints among Protestants; it takes the form of a chronicle...
€550
Joseph-Aignan SIGAUD DE LA FOND
Description et usage d'un cabinet de physique experimentale
Chez Gueffier|à Paris 1784|12.50 x 20.30 cm|relié
Second edition, illustrated with 51 folding plates (23 for volume I and 28 for the second, at the end of volumes) on strong paper.
Contemporary full brown sheep binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Red morocco title label and black morocco volume label. Headcaps of volume II worn. Joints of volume II cracked at head. 3 corners slightly bumped on volume I and 2 on volume II. Overall, a good copy.
An extraordinary pedagogue and demonstrator, Sigaud de la Fond early on attended the courses of Abbé Nollet (no less famous for his experiments in physics and electricity) whom he would succeed, and quickly established an experimental physics cabinet. His experiments were numerous...
€700
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
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
LE BLOND, Géraud de LA CHAU
Description des principales pierres gravées du Cabinet de SAS Monseigneur le Duc d'Orléans
Chez M. l'abbé de la Chaud • M. l'Abbé Le Blond|à Paris 1780 - 1784|20.50 x 34 cm|2 volumes reliés
First edition, magnificently illustrated with a frontispiece by Cochin, engraved by Saint-Aubin, a title vignette by the same, 59 large tailpieces and headpieces (designed and engraved by Saint-Aubin) explained and deciphered at the beginning of the work, and 179 figures hors-texte each presenting an engraved stone (engraved by Saint-Aubin). Fine printing on deluxe Holland paper.

Full black morocco-grained shagreen binding ca 1850. Smooth spine with flat raised bands decorated with fillets and roulettes on the bands. Triple-ruled frames on boards with corner fleurons. Marbled edges. Light rubbing to headcaps, corners. Paper lacking to margin of one leaf in volume I. Some leaves...
€1,800
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
[ Maradan • Desray • Giguet]|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
[VERBOQUET] ANONYME
Les subtiles et facecieuses rencontres de I. B. disciple du genereux Verboquet, par luy pratiquées pendant son voyage, tant par mer que par terre. Le tout au contentement des plus Melancoliques
De l'imprimerie de Jean Martin • et de Jean de Bordeaux|à Paris 1630|7.50 x 15 cm|relié
First edition, rare, of this collection of witticisms and funny stories published as a "supplement" to a reprint of the famous Les Délices, ou Discours joyeux et récréatifs by Verboquet, and since reprinted in its wake, "although it is probably not by the same author" according to Paul Lacroix (PL. Jacob, Enigmes et découvertes bibliographiques).
Full cream parchment-covered cardboard Bradel binding, modern. Black sheep title-label. Foxing. A pale dampstain in the upper margin. A black stain in the lower margin of leaf 2.
Very rare and amusing testimony to popular humor and the art of facetious anecdote.
€500
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
BASAN
Dictionnaire des graveurs anciens et modernes
Chez l'auteur • Prault • Cuchet|à Paris 1789|12.50 x 20 cm|relié
Second edition, the first having appeared in 1767. Two frontispieces, one by Cochin, the second by Pierre Delin, and two headpieces engraved by Choffart. Some copies, at the request of the purchaser who could commission them, contained 50 engravings. These copies appear very rare.
Half brown marbled sheep binding, mid-19th century. Spine with raised bands decorated with roulettes on the bands and roulettes at the headcaps. Red shagreen title label and black shagreen volume label. Head caps fragile, with small lacks. Rubbing. The copy has been interleaved with numerous leaves, most of which remained blank, but some contain annotations.
€500