- 27
Cassas, Louis François
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
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Description
- Cassas, Louis François
- Voyage pittoresque de la Syrie, de la Phoenicie, de la Palestine, et de la Basse Egypte. Paris: de l'Imprimerie de la Republique, an VII, 1799
- paper
First edition, 3 volumes bound in 2, folio (527 x 327mm.), 179 engraved plates (of 180 or more, see footnote), some double-page or folding, no title (never printed, see footnote), 7 page prospectus at beginning of volume 1 dated "an VI", contemporary red morocco-backed boards, spines gilt, plates slightly spotted, some browning to text
Provenance
Sefik E. Atabey, book label, sale in these rooms, 28 May 2002, lot 201
Literature
Atabey 201; Cohen-de Ricci 204-5 (with 173 plates, but citing a copy with 192); Blackmer (with 178 plates); not in Cobham-Jeffery
Condition
the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue description
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Cassas accompanied Choiseul-Gouffier on his embassy to Constantinople in 1784 (see lots 32-33). He stayed in the Levant until 1787, travelling in the Archipelago, Syria and Egypt making drawings, some of which were engraved for Choiseul-Gouffier's Voyage pittoresque. The fine plates in this work include views in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and Cyprus.
The number of plates contained in this unfinished work varies, although many copies seem to contain 180. However the Blackmer copy had 178 plates and since this copy first appeared at auction (in 2002) there have been two other copies with just 179 plates. Atabey states "the number of plates varies, but around 180 is standard". The numeration of the plates is not consecutive. Thirty livraisons of plates were published in all, with text for the first seven livraisons only. Apparently a general title was never printed.