178 - [Iran]. COSTE, Pascal-Xavier.

[Iran]. COSTE, Pascal-Xavier. [Modern Monuments of Persia]. (Paris), A. Morel, (1867). Folio (approx. 56 x 40 cm), 43 plates, including 6 double-page spreads and 3 chromolithographs. Loose-leaf, in a 19th-century green half-chagrin slipcase with corners, gilt fillet on the covers, gilt initials "E.B." in the center of the upper cover. (folder worn, slight foxing on the plates—not serious—a few remnants or traces of small photo corners at the corners of the plates, edges slightly tarnished). A magnificent illustrated work on Persian architecture. A collection of 43 lithographed or engraved plates from Pascal Coste’s work devoted to the modern monuments of Persia. They illustrate the monuments of Isfahan, featuring views, plans, cross-sections, and details of mosques, madrasas, palaces, pavilions, bazaars, caravanserais, and bridges, as well as various monuments and architectural surveys of Kashan, Tehran, Rey, Tabriz, and other locations in Persia. Three plates are printed in color, and six are spread across two pages. Includes site plans, panoramic views, and architectural views. Appointed architect to Muhammad Ali in 1818, Pascal Coste (1787–1879) spent ten years in Egypt, where he participated in several major projects, notably the reconstruction of the fortifications at Aboukir. His work *Arabic Architecture* emerged from this period. In 1839–1841, he took part in a French diplomatic mission to Persia, alongside Kazimirski Biberstein. His observations and surveys conducted during this journey led to several major publications, including *Voyage en Perse* (1842), *Monuments anciens de la Perse* (1844), and *Monuments modernes de la Perse* (1867). Coste served as architect to Muhammad Ali of Egypt for ten years. This work is the result of the French diplomatic mission to Persia conducted between 1839 and 1841. Blackmer, 415.