PÉRELLE, GABRIEL, NICOLAS, AND ADAM | Vues des belles maisons de France; Les places, portes, fountaines, eglises, et maisons de Paris; Veues des belles maisons des environs de Paris; Veues de plus beaux endroits de Versailles; Veues des belles maisons de France; Diverse veues de Chantilly; Veues de Rome et des environs. Paris: Nicolas Langlois, [n.d., but circa 1687-1703]

PÉRELLE, GABRIEL, NICOLAS, AND ADAM 

Vues des belles maisons de France; Les places, portes, fountaines, eglises, et maisons de Paris; Veues des belles maisons des environs de Paris; Veues de plus beaux endroits de Versailles; Veues des belles maisons de France; Diverse veues de Chantilly; Veues de Rome et des environs. Paris: Nicolas Langlois, [n.d., but circa 1687-1703]

7 parts in one volume, oblong folio (11 1/2 x 15 1/4 in.; 299 x 389 mm). Manuscript table, 294 engraved plates on 253 leaves distributed between the parts as follows: Part I: engraved title and 23 plates (20 leaves); Part II: engraved title and 45 plates (46 leaves); Part III: engraved title and 36 plates (30 leaves); Part IV: engraved title, folding map, and 44 plates (44 leaves); Part V: engraved title, 2 folding maps, and 57 plates (54 leaves); Part VI: engraved title and 62 plates (41 leaves); Part VII: engraved title and 17 plates (18 leaves); closed marginal tear to table, a few plates slightly browned, a few stray spots, a few minor marginal tears to lower right corners, one of which repaired, closed tears to two folding maps, long closed tear to "Le Chateau de Marly" skilfully repaired, one or two other marginal tears repaired. Full 18th-century mottled calf, board edges decoratively gilt, fore-edges speckled, two pin fastenings on lower board; rebacked to style, repairs to corners, endpapers renewed, clasps lacking. 

A handsome and extensive collection of engravings depicting some of France's most important landmarks and picturesque landscapes 

Gabriel Pérelle was a draftsman and printmaker of topographic views and landscapes, and his technical skill is reflected in the present collection of engravings, which range from more classical or romantic landscapes, to technical diagrams and architectural drawings. The collection bears uniform Langlois imprints, includes the view "La Place St. Marc a Venise" at the end, with the final view of Escurial at Madrid. Most copies of the Pérelles' views vary in composition.

REFERENCES

Berlin Katalog I, 2483, 2675; Fowler, 245; Millard I, 136-37

PROVENANCE

Francis Ferrand Foljambe (stamp on title) — Foljambe Collection of Books (their sale, Christie's New York, 30 April 2008, lot 135)