Etat et délices de la Suisse, ou description historique et géographique des treize cantons Suisses et de leurs alliés

First and only quarto edition, the most sought-after issue due to its substantial enlargement. The original octavo edition of 1730 was thoroughly revised, corrected, and enriched with the latest discoveries by the scholarly editor responsible for this edition. Ruchat’s work was supplemented with Abraham Stanyan’s Account of Switzerland (London, 1714), together with additional texts relating to Switzerland. Illustrated with 81 engravings and maps after Merian, including 2 allegorical frontispieces, 68 plates depicting city views and notable sites, and 11 maps. Binder’s instruction leaf present at the end of each volume.
Contemporary full mottled tan calf. Spine with raised bands and gilt decoration. Beige morocco lettering and volume labels. Double fillet border on covers. Small loss of leather at the head of volume II. Lower joint of volume I split at the head with minor loss, and split at the foot along the final compartment. Two corners rubbed. A few scratches to the upper cover of volume II. Marginal loss to plate 5 in volume I; on p. 428, plate numbered 33, loss measuring approximately 1.5 x 3 cm affecting the engraving. General rubbing. Ownership stamp of Bibliothèque Jules Barotte on the versos of certain plates and on the title-pages. Good, clean and remarkably fresh copies.
A celebrated and detailed geographical, historical, and political monograph on Switzerland.