Books

Amsterdam [i.e. Paris, Barbou], 1762. First edition (the so-called Fermiers-Generaux edition), 2 volumes, 8vo, pp. xiv, [2], 268, [2], 8; [2], viii, [2], 306, [4], [9]-16; complete with the half-titles, 2 engraved frontispiece portraits and 80 plates after Eisen by Aliamet, Delafosse, Longueil, Le Mire, etc.; 2 title-page vignettes, 2 headpieces, and 51 tailpieces by Choffard; full contemporary mottled calf, gilt decorated spines, covers with triple gilt borders, maroon morocco labels on spines, a.e.g.; lightly rubbed, but no cracks in the joints; mild dampstaining at the back of vol. II; but in all, a very good, sound, and unrestored copy in what is likely the original binding, with strong impressions of the plates and generally clean internally. Ray, Art of the French Illustrated Book, 26: "The Fermiers Generaux, an association of the members of which had charge of gathering certain kinds of taxes, formed 'the first financial company in the kingdom.' Seeking to affirm their…