'Un des livres illustrés les plus réussis de tout le XVIIIe siècle' (Cohen)

A lovely copy of this beautifully illustrated work, finely bound in red morocco, and including the charming 'figures libres' here bound in a supplementary volume. Cohen among others praised this great achievement of Gravelot, Boucher, Cochin and Eisen, the best illustrators of the French 18th century. The edition not only shows 115 plates and frontispieces, but also includes decorative engraved head- and tail-pieces in the best tradition of book illustration of its time. The Italian text was translated into French by A. Le Macon.

5 vols in 6; 8vo (20 x 13cm), 5 engraved titles, 110 engraved plates, 97 head and tail pieces by Gravelot and Boucher among others, engraved by Aliamet, Bacquoy, Lemire and others, plus a frontispiece and 20 extra planches libres, unsigned but attributed to Gravelot. Contemporary red morocco, spines with raised bands gilt in compartments, morocco labels lettered in gilt; some labels in contrasting colour.

Cohen de Ricci 160; Ray 39-41.