Blouet, Guillaume Abel, and others.

first edition, 3 volumes bound in 4 (volume 3 bound in two parts), large folio (600 x 420mm.), 3 half-titles, 3 engraved additional titles, and 262 plates, 5 coloured by hand, 6 double-page or folding, many showing two or more subjects, contemporary half calf gilt, light to medium spotting, repairs to spines and corners, rubbed

Blackmer 153; BAL RIBA 1009

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The Morea Scientific Expedition (an adjunct to the French military mission to the Morea), arrived in Greece in March 1829. It was organised into three sections: architecture, archaeology and natural sciences. The archaeology section was disbanded after two months but its work was included with that of the architectural section directed by the distinguished architect Guillaume Abel Blouet. "The plan of the work follows the itinerary of the expedition, which included Byzantine, early Christian and medieval antiquities, along with more exhaustive surveys of the principal classical remains at Pylos, Messene, Olympia, Phigalia, Megalopolis, Sparta, Argos, Mycenae, Nemea and Corinth, and on the islands of Delos, Naxos, Aegina and Cape Sounion (Sunium). Particular attention is given to the temples of Jupiter at Olympia, of Apollo at Bassae, near Phigalia and of Jupiter on the island of Aegina. Blouet and his colleagues were the first archaeologists to identify the ruin of the temple at Olympia as the famous temple of Jupiter described by Pausanias" (BAL RIBA).

"this important work marked a turning point in the history of archaeological studies and served as a model for works of a similar kind" (Blackmer).

This work is a companion to that of Bory de Saint-Vincent, which contains the geographical, geological, zoological and botanical reports of  the expedition (see lot 20).