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Mr. Philip D. Burden
P.O. Box 863,
Chalfont St. Giles, Bucks HP6 9HD,
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: +44 (0) 1494 76 33 13
Email: enquiries@caburden.com
A superb collection of engravings of the treasures of Versailles in French Royal binding. It was conceived by Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Louis XIV’s Minister of Finances from 1665 to 1683, to expound the flourishing of the arts and sciences under the French King. It was an ‘encyclopaedic showcase for the flourishing of the arts and sciences in the service of the French king’, originally issued in 1677 for royal bestowal only (RIBA). In 1679 Colbert made the engravings available to the public “to demonstrate the open-handedness of the King and spread knowledge of royal munificence as widely as possible”. This 1727 edition is the first published in a uniform folio format, adding a number of plates to the 1679 edition. Previously it was issued separately with volumes of differing heights. Bibliographically it appears no two examples are alike. Volume one contains the spectacular ‘Escalier’ plates of the ceiling designs along with fine perspectives of Versailles and its gardens. Volume two focuses on the garden’s fountains. Volume three includes the statues present and volume four the various items of sculpture and vases. A fine example with matching contemporary binding. Brunet I:1442-1444; RIBA 518, 518E-H; Universal Catalogue of Books on Art I p. 202.
CABINET DU ROI
Plans, élévations et vûes du chasteau de Versailles. - Grotte, labyrinthe, fontaines et bassins de Versailles. - Statues du roy, antiques et modernes à Versailles. - Termes, bustes, sphinx, et vases du roy, à Versailles
Imprimerie Royale, Paris, 1727
Folio (635 x 475 mm), four volumes, full original mottled calf, spines with rich gilt in compartments with the crowned monogram of Louis XIV, red morocco title labels, and green morocco volume labels numbered 1-4, the sides centred with the royal arms in gilt, gilt edges (spine caps chipped, corners rubbed, some joints just starting, sides lightly scuffed). With 28 (of 29?), 53, 47 (of 48?), and 51 engraved plates, a total of 179 of which 14 are double-page, engraved by Nolin, de la Porte, Mellan, Baudet and others. Some plates browned particularly at the end of the fourth volume, occasional marginal damp stain, light spotting, otherwise a fine example.
Stock number: 7819
SOLD