COSTE, PASCAL-XAVIER. MONUMENTS MODERNES DE L A PERSE. PARIS, 1867

FIRST EDITION, large folio (566 x 444mm.), half-title, 71 numbered plates and plans on 56 sheets (8 coloured), 7 double-page, other illustrations in the text, contemporary red half morocco, marbled boards, spine gilt in compartments, some light spotting, expert repairs to spine

Mark Dineley, armorial bookplate

Ghani, p. 630; Wilson p. 49

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."

A VERY GOOD COPY OF THIS IMPORTANT AND FINELY ILLUSTRATED SURVEY OF PERSIAN ARCHITECTURE. "Probably the single most attractive book on Persia and one of the rarest" (Ghani). Coste (1787-1879) was appointed architect to Mehmet Ali of Egypt in 1818. He spent ten years in Egypt, completing, among other projects, the reconstruction of the defences at Abukir; this resulted in his work Architecture arabe (1837-1839). The present work, together with Voyage en Perse (1842) and Monuments anciens de la Perse (1844), grew out of the French diplomatic mission to Persia in 1839-1841.