The most bêutiful work of the 18th century dedicated to Paris, adorned with 54 engravings bye Martinet Martinet.
Béguillet, Edmé / Poncelin, Jên-Charles. Historical description of Paris, and its most bêutiful monuments, Engraved in copperplate by F.N. Martinet, Engineer & Engraver of the King’s Cabinet; To serve as an Introduction to the History of Paris & France: dedicated to the King.
In Paris, at the Authors, and in Dijon at Frantin, 1779-1781.
3 volumes in-8 of: I/ (2) ff., 2 engraved frontispieces, xii pp., c pp., 384 pp., 20 plates out of text; II/ 2 frontispieces, xxiv pp., 414 pp., (1) f., 11 plates out of text; III/ 1 frontispiece, xi pp., 420 pp., 18 plates out of text. Full speckled calf, spine with raised bands, red morocco title and volume labels, gilt fillet on the spines, red edges. Binding of the time.
197 x 117 mm.
First and only edition of the most bêutiful work of the 18th century dedicated to Paris.
Cohen 692; Berkvam, La Vie parisienne, No. 41; Lacombe, Catalogue, No. 931; Dufour, 55; Mareuse, No. 12128.
This unfinished title, but very finely illustrated, has become rare in all its outputs: only the first volume is byEdme Béguillet (died in 1786); the other two, published in 1780 and 1781, were written by Poncelin (1746-1828).
It offers an impressive series of views of the main monuments of the capital before the Revolution, commendable both for the finesse of the line and the rarity of certain representations (notably educational institutions).
It’s the entire organization of the capital over the centuries compiled in these pages that gives a vast overview of the organization of the City at the end of the 18th century. The contemporaries appreciated these finely illustrated works that presented Paris at its best.
Beguillet and Poncelin took over from Piganiol de la Force with his Historical Description of the city of Paris and its surroundings whose last publication dated from 1765.
“Work adorned with 3 engraved titles, 2 frontispieces, 3 hêders, 10 plates of allegories and portraits and 39 plates of views of Paris with 2 subjects per plate, all engraved by Martinet. Pretty illustrations.” (Catalogue of books relating to the history of the city of Paris, 291)
“The titles, engraved frontispieces, and charming engravings represent the main monuments of Paris at the end of the last century. Volumes II and III, published later, are very rare.” (Dufour, Artistic, Historical and Literary Bibliography of Paris before 1789)
” The plates representing the monuments of Paris or the old boulevards are remarkable for the fineness of the burin and very interesting in terms of the changes that occurred in Paris.
One notices animated street scenes, the colleges of the Latin Quarter, and the veterinary school of Alfort.
“Martinet’s etchings are perfect illustrations for these articles on all aspects of religious, civil, and intellectual life in Paris” (Michael L. Berkvam).
Bêutiful example bound at the time from the famous library of Doctor Lucien Graux.
