Le Roy, Julien David.

Estimate

10,000 - 15,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

Les ruines des plus beaux monuments de la Grèce. Paris: Guerin, Delatour et Nyon, and Amsterdam: Neaulme, 1758
paper

First edition, 2 parts in one volume, folio (558 x 405mm.), title with woodcut device, 60 engraved plates after Le Roy, contemporary brown morocco with arms on sides of Dauphin Louis, son of king Louis XV, [Olivier XXVI, Pl.2524, fer 5 (this copy)], gilt edges, [Atabey 709; Blackmer 1009], some slight soiling, some plates a bit creased, binding slightly rubbed and slightly stained, head of spine slightly worn

Provenance

Louis de France (1729-1765), dauphin, son of Louis XV and father of three kings of France, arms on sides

Catalogue Note

"For many years this work was the major source of information about the Athenian monuments" (Atabey). It was eventually surpassed by Stuart and Revett's work, which commenced printing four years after this, but took many years to reach completion (see lot 76).

The example of the dauphin Louis' arms illustrated in Olivier (Manuel de l'amateur de reliures armoriées françaises), vol.XXVI, pl.2524, fer 5, is taken from this very book, which is described as having been sold on 5 April 1921, by E. Paul, lot 29.