359 - LABORDE (Jean-Benjamin de).

LABORDE (Jean-Benjamin de). Choix de chansons mises en musique. Paris, de Lormel, 1773. 4 volumes in 2 vols. large in-8 (246 x 163 mm) of [1] frontispiece, 154 pp., 2 ff.n.ch. ; [1] frontispiece title, 153 pp. ; [1] portrait engraved by Moreau le jeune after Denon, [1] frontispiece title, 150 pp., 2 ff.n.ch. ; [1] frontispiece title, 150 pp., 2 ff.n.ch. Red morocco, spine ribbed and decorated, title and tomaison gilt, place and date in tail, triple gilt fillet framing the boards, double gilt fillet on the edges, inner lace, gilt edges (Hardy-Mennil). Small tear at tail cap. Fully engraved: title with fleuron by Moreau, 4 frontispieces including the portrait of Laborde in a lyre (only engraved in 1774 and characteristic of good copies) by Moreau, Le Bouteux, and Le Barbier and 100 figures by Moreau, Le Barbier, Le Bouteux and Saint-Quentin. Dedication leaf with arms of Marie-Antoinette Dauphine drawn by Moreau, text and music engraved by Moria and Mlle Vendôme. This book, one of the most beautiful of the 18th century, is perhaps, along with the "Contes de la Fontaine", the most pleasing for the grace of its subjects and the variety of costumes depicted. The author, familiar with Louis XV and Madame Du Barry, had begun it with Moreau. Regrettably, a disagreement led the artist to abandon it after completion of the first volume. The illustration was then entrusted to Le Bouteux, Le Barbier & Saint-Quentin, painters of merit but mediocre draftsmen, and the engraving to Née and Masquelier, so the last three volumes are inferior to the first, which is a small masterpiece of composition, wit and execution. (Cohen, 534/538.) A very fine copy in a signed morocco binding, enhanced by the engraved portrait of Mme Laborde enceinte engraved by Née et Masquelier (ed. M. Magnier et cie) and 2 pages of handwritten music between pages 14 and 15.