Description de l'Égypte, Paris, 1820-30, second edition, 37 atlas volumes plus 24 text volumes bound in 26

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); atlas volumes large folio (730 x 548mm), text volumes 8vo (216 x 138mm); atlas volumes with coloured frontispiece in vol.1 of Antiquités, engraved title in Atlas géographique and 899 (of 902) plates, text volumes with 47 engraved plates and maps and 34 tables, blindstamps of the expedition throughout, contemporary marbled boards, spines in later calf, leaves uncut in atlas volumes, dark green paper wrappers bound into plate volumes, some spotting, extremities rubbed, endleaves renewed in text volumes

THE SET COMPRISES:

Antiquités: text: 10 volumes; plates: 5 volumes, engraved coloured frontispiece, 432 engraved plates

Etat moderne: text: 10 volumes (published as tomes 11-18, tome 18 in 3 parts); plates: 2 volumes, with 179 engraved plates on 171 sheets

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

Atlas géographique: 51 engraved maps 

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:

Bought by Robert Anderson from Ben Weinreb at 39 Great Russell Street

LITERATURE:

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