Longus (2nd century).

4to (200 x 154mm.), large paper copy, [10], 159, [1], xx pp., title-page printed in red and black, text area (excluding running-title and pagination) 95 x 60mm., illustration: engraved frontispiece dated 1718 by Audran after Coypel, engraved vignette on title-page, 29 plates after Philippe d'Orléans, 4 engraved head-pieces, 4 tail-pieces by Cochin, binding: contemporary French red morocco gilt, narrow roll-borders, inner composed of clasped hands, pierced hearts, birds and pears, flat spine gilt in compartments, gilt edges, gilt-starred endpapers, date on title-page partially erased 

Cohen-de Ricci 652; Ray 2a; Giles Barber, Daphnis and Chloe, 1989, p.35

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."

These famous illustrations were drawn by Philippe d'Orléans, Regent of France 1715-1723, under instruction from the elder Coypel, to accompany Jacques Amyot 's French translation of Longus. They were first published in 1718 in an edition said to have been of 250 copies only. The famous additional plate, 'les petits pieds' by the Baron de Caylus and dated to after 1728, was added to some copies.

There are at least three different editions dated 1745, for which the Regent's illustrations were re-engraved. The present copy corresponds to the Dacre copy offered for sale in our rooms, 8 June 2006, lot 177, in both text area size and order of the head-pieces, and differs from both the Hans Fürstenberg copy and the Otto Schaefer copy (sales in our rooms, Schaefer II, 27 June 1995, lot 132, & IV, 7 December 1995, lot 383).