Description de l'Égypte | Paris: Panckouke, 1820-30, 37 volumes, red calf-backed boards gilt

Description de l'Égypte

Description de l'Égypte, ou recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Egypte pendant l'expédition de l'Egypte. Paris: Panckoucke, 1820-1830

Second edition, 37 (of 38) volumes, comprising 24 text volumes bound in 26 (volume 18 in 3 parts) and 11 (of 12) volumes of plates (without the elephant folio volume of large-format plates), comprising: atlases large folio (702 x 526mm.) and text 8vo (207 x 123mm.), 2 engraved frontispieces (one hand-coloured), and 847 (of 888) engraved plates, text volumes with 47 engraved plates and maps and 34 tables, blindstamps of the expedition throughout, contemporary red calf-backed boards, gilt ruled/lettered spines, sprinkled edges, occasional spotting, offsetting, wear to extremities

THE SET COMPRISES:

Antiquités: text: 10 volumes; plates: 5 volumes with engraved dedication plate to Louis XVIII, engraved coloured frontispiece, and 379 (of 419) engraved plates, including 59 double-page or folding. (This edition does not contain plates a-f, not listed in the ‘table des planches’ in the last text volume for this part)

Etat moderne: text: 10 volumes (published as tomes 11-18, tome 18 in 3 parts); plates: 2 volumes, with 173 (of 182) engraved plates, including one double-page

Histoire naturelle: text: 6 volumes; plates: 3 volumes (numbered 1, 2 and 2bis), with 244 (of 244) engraved plates

Atlas géographique: 51 engraved maps (including 45 double-page)

The Description de l’Égypte was the first scientific survey of all Egypt, from its antiquities to its agriculture including language, music, costume, and natural history, and it concludes with a detailed and accurate map of the region. The numerous plates depicting the antiquities provide a comprehensive record of the richness of ancient Egyptian culture.

At the time of publication, the Description de l’Égypte was the largest printed work ever produced. Its influence was enormous, establishing Egyptology as an intellectual discipline and nurturing a passion for Egyptian art throughout the western world. Edited by some of the leading intellectual figures in France, the Description also includes contributions from celebrated artists such as Jacques Barraband, Pierre-Joseph Redouté, Geoffrey Saint-Hilaire, Jules-César Savigny and others.

PROVENANCE:

'Legros, ....à Paris, Rue Poupée No.14' bookplate

LITERATURE:

Atabey 343; BAL RIBA cat. 846; Blackmer 476; Hilmy I, pp.239-245; (all first editions); Cook, Jr. pp.178-184 (second edition)