167 - GUILLAUME REY: ETUDE SUR LES MONUMENTS DE L' ARCHITECTURE MILITAIRE DES CROISÉS EN SYRIE ET DANS L'ÎLE DE CHYPRE. PARIS, 1871

GUILLAUME REY: ETUDE SUR LES MONUMENTS DE L' ARCHITECTURE MILITAIRE DES CROISÉS EN SYRIE ET DANS L'ÎLE DE CHYPRE. PARIS, 1871 First edition, Folio, in contemporary publishers hard covers slightly rubbed and sunned, complete: 288p., 59 illustrations in the text and 24 plates at the end (forming an Atlas) including 13 double page with views, plans and maps, some very light scattered spotting in few pages of text, overall in very good condition. Rey explored Syria and Cyprus during the last years of the Ottoman rule. His scientific study is a landmark for the medieval history of Cyprus and the medieval architectural remains in the island, still untouched in the mid 19th century. He emphasises significantly on crucial sections of the island which served as a vital Kingdom ruled by the house of Lusignan. He provides the earliest systematic architectural analyses of major Cypriot places, such as Kyrenia, Famagusta, Limassol and the spectacular fortresses of the Pentadaktylos like St Hilarion, Buffavento and Kantara. The work is full with faithful views of the ruins as they stood, capturing several items that have since eroded or been destroyed. It is richly illustrated with the full set of the original architectural plates, views and plans.