LA CHAU, abbé de & LE BLOND, abbé

Description of the main engraved stones of the Cabinet of SAS Monseigneur le Duc d'Orléans P., Chez M. l'abbé de La Chau, M. l'abbé Le Blond, et chez Pissot, 1780-1784. 2 volumes in-4, full calf, spine with ornate nerves, title and giblets. Spines rubbed, part of the spine split. [32], 303pp. and [4] v [3] 215pp. (5). First edition with a few missing pieces. Engraved stone plates, almost exclusively engraved by Saint Aubin. The vignettes and culs-de-lampe considered as "magnificent" by Cohen, are due to Choffard. In volume 1, 14 pages of text, the frontispiece and plate 24 are missing. Some dampstains, browning, a lack in the margin, a tear without lack, an ink stain. In volume 2, an additional plate and 4 pages of text are missing. In addition and not surprisingly, the Spintrian medals are missing: "it is to be observed," says Cohen, "that very few of the copies in old bindings originally contained the Spintrian plates. The duke of Orleans was a great collector of books, antiques and engraved stones. His collection was bequeathed to Louis XIV. Cohen, 542. Brunet, III, 727.