61 - [MONTESQUIEU]. THE TEMPLE OF GNIDE. Paris, Le Mire, 1772. In-4 (263 × 195 mm), porphyry calfskin, triple gilt fillet framing on the covers, fleurons in the corners with gilt chequered patterns, spined back decorated with gold chequered pattern in the panels, wide roulettes and small gold ironwork, title label in garnet morocco, gold-edged cups, caps, and fillets, gilt edges (contemporary binding); frontispiece, (2) title pages and dedication, VII–104 pages, 8/9 plates. Scattered light foxing. ILLUSTRATED EDITION featuring a FRONTISPICE with the author’s portrait in a medallion, an engraved TITLE PAGE, a VIGNETTE at the head of the dedication, and 8/9 ILLUSTRATIONS by Eisen, engraved by Le Mire, including two depicting Cephis and Love, the second bearing the caption “The heat will bring them back to life…,” the most sought-after condition. Unfortunately, the illustration for Canto 4 is MISSING. A BEAUTIFUL COPY with generous margins on fine laid paper, in a decorated binding of the period that retains a rare freshness. ¶ Cohen, 726: “Prints of ravishing execution, both in composition and engraving.”