D'Auberteuil, Michel René Hilliard | A rare history of the Revolution, with distinguished provenance

D'Auberteuil, Michel René Hilliard

Essais historiques et politiques sur les Anglo-Americains. [And:} Essais historiques et politiques sur la revolution de l'Amerique septentrionale. Brussels: n.p., 1781

2 volumes, 8vo (194 x 116 mm). Half-title and title to each volume, numerous folding plates, plans and maps, including a folding plan of the Battle of Monmouth (not called for in register of plates), woodcut head- and tail pieces; Vol. I lacking frontispiece (as called for in register of plates), scattered foxing, dampstaining along top margin, a few closed short tears to folding maps and plate, one or two instance of offsetting. Contemporary French mottled calf, covers with central gilt arms of the Pavée de Vendeuvre family with the motto 'Ardeo Persevero Spero', edges stained red, marbled endleaves; extremities rubbed, joints weak. 

First edition of the first history of the American Revolution by a French historian

"An excellent work, and a rare history of the Revolution. ... Most of the plates illustrate political scenes and personages, including Washington and Franklin; the most dramatic plate, however, is an imaginary representation of the burning of New York in December 1776" (Revolutionary). 

PROVENANCE

Guillaume Pavée de Vendeuvre, French politician and renowned bibliophile (covers of each volume with his coat-of-arms) — J.R.P. (bookplates to front pastedowns)

REFERENCE

Howes H493; Gephart 5696; Revolutionary Hundred 69; Sabin 31899