[DECRÈS] - CESSART (Louis-Alexandre de). Description of the hydraulic works of Louis Alexandre de Cessart, dean of the Inspectors General of the Ponts et Chaussées (...). Work printed on the author's manuscripts. Paris, Collin, Renouard, Bernard, Magimel, 1806-1808. 2 vols. in-4, [3] ff. (false title, title, dedication to the Emperor), VII-316 and [4]-XVI-358 pp, with a fine portrait-frontispiece of the author engraved by B. Roger after Bouché, a folding table and 67 very beautiful folding plates engraved by Michel or Collin, cherry morocco, smooth spines decorated with semis of gilt speckles and sea anchors in a diamond-shaped frame of gilt dotted lines and branches, very large double gilt garland on the boards, with small gilt anchors in the spandrels, figure inserted in a duke's coat of arms in the centre, gilt garland on the edges, gilt edges, inner lace, endpapers lined with Empire green tabis (period binding). A magnificent copy. Unique edition of this collection printed in a small number at the initiative of Dubois d'Arnouville, and reserved for subscribers. It gathers studies and memoirs of the main achievements of the great engineer Cessart: I. Saumur bridge. Bridge and quay of Rouen. Port of Le Havre. Port of Le Tréport. Pont des Arts in Paris. - II. Port of Dieppe. Rade de Cherbourg. (Brother I, 206.) Exceptional copy with the figure of Denis DECRÈS (1761-1820), Minister of the Navy from 1801 to 1814. Although this D with the dukes' egret could also be suitable for Duroc, Grand Maréchal du Palais, the presence of sea anchors in the decoration almost certainly favours the sailor. Very nice copy of this rare book.