(History). "Almanach Royal 1774 presented to his Majesty for the first time in 1699. Put in order and published by Le Breton". In Paris, rue de la Harpe, 1774. Large in-12 bound in full caramel calf, spine with ornate nerves. Large laces on the boards with small irons in spandrels. Elegant dominoté endpaper (Brocart type). All edges gilt. Rubbing to title and spine, small lack of leather at foot. Edges lightened. The former owner tried to remove from the title page all references to royalty ....

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.