Histoire d'Angleterre, représentée par figures, accompagnées de discours
Paris, Chez l'auteur, F.A. David, 1784, 1784, and 1800.
Quarto, three volumes, [iv], 194; [iv], 211; and [iv], 116 pages plus an engraved title in each volume and a total of 111 engraved plates with tissue-guards.
Early mottled calf; spines extensively tooled in gilt, with contrasting morocco lettering-pieces; sides bordered with gilt rolls; all edges gilt; spines tanned, with the leather now somewhat brittle; joints splitting (but sound); covers slightly worn; plates occasionally a little tanned; a few spots of foxing; loss to the corner of a few leaves (likely a production flaw, not affecting the text); a few minor signs of age and use, but internally a crisp, clean, wide-margined set in excellent condition, meriting a sympathetic restoration of the bindings.
The 111 plates, illustrating scenes from English history from Roman times to the American War of Independence, are engraved by François-Anne David after designs by Nicolas Lejeune, Monet, and Gios. (The third volume, published after a hiatus of 16 years, has the extended title 'Histoire d'Angleterre, depuis la descente de Jules César jusqu'à la fin de la guerre d'Amérique'.) The tone is perhaps coloured by the rivalry between France and England, concluding '... l'Angleterre humiliée et vaincue recevoit le juste prix de sa tyrranie injuste et sanguinaire, par la perte entière d'une de ses colonies la plus importante, et les Etats-Unis de l'Amérique eurent une place marquée parmi les puissances libres et souveraines'. The 'Gazette nationale ou le Moniteur universel' for 5 November 1794 contains a lengthy advertisement for David's series of illustrated histories, indicating that the print run included a deluxe issue with the plates printed in 'bistre sanguin anglais' on wove paper; this set is from the standard issue printed in black ink. [3 items].
Item #138685
Price (AUD):
$400.00