MBA004: Lot 39. LE BRUN, Corneille [BRUYN, Cornelis de].

A crisp, complete example of the popular first French edition, richly illustrated with more than 300 engraved subjects and striking large panoramic plates, such as the celebrated panoramas of Moscow and Ispahan.

Description

Two volumes folio (34.2 x 22.2 cm). Engraved frontispiece by Picart, engraved portrait of the author by G. Valck after G. Kneller, [8] including half-title, title, dedication and preface, 252 pp., with 3 folding engraved maps, 9 folding, 30 double-page incl. a duplicate (pl. 102) and 18 full-page engraved plates, 24 engravings in text and a large engraved head-piece; title, 253-469 pp. including table and indications to binder, with 7 folding, 26 double-page and 26 full-page engraved plates, and 20 engravings in text — in all a frontispiece, a portrait plate, 3 engr. maps, 116 plates (but including an extra duplicate) and 44 engr. in text, many plates showing several subjects: 262 numbered subjects, to which are added 5 pl. between pp. 106-127; just a few occasional spots.
Contemporary speckled calf, spines with raised bands gilt in compartments, brown morocco labels lettered in gilt, red speckled edges; a bit rubbed, joints repaired.

Provenance

Bibliography

Cohen-de-Ricci 610; ‘Maps in Books of Russian and Poland publ. in the Netherlands before 1800’, 36; Vengerov, Bibliokhronika II, 4. Cf. Atabey 159 (large paper Dutch ed.); Rohricht 1184; Tobler, p.114; Gay 2101; Nordenskiold Collection 3, 358; Howgego, to 1800, B-177