Launay, Marie de

FIRST EDITION, folio (490 x 338mm.), titles and text in French and German (in parallel columns) and Ottoman Turkish (bound at end), 185 (of 189) lithographed plates, including 14 coloured plates, after de Launay, Montani, Boghoz, Chachian and Maillard, contemporary green half morocco gilt, imitation snakeskin boards, spine in six compartments with raised bands gilt, red edges, patterned gold endpapers, lacking 5 plates but with an additional plate LV (in the eighth group of plates) which does not appear to be called for, lower joint splitting, extremities slightly worn

Blackmer 956 (mistakenly stating 190 plates; the listed plates in the bibliography add up to 189, and this is the number given in the Blackmer sale catalogue); not in Atabey

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."

RARE. Only a few copies appear to have been printed. 'This interesting work illustrates important examples of Ottoman architecture and detailed elements from such buildings, including woodwork, carved stonework, ironwork, pavements, tiles, etc. The plates ... have been produced photolithographically by Pascal Sebah, who established a photographic studio in Pera probably before 1870 and was well known as a photographer of sites in Constantinople and the Bosphorus' (Blackmer).