1123 - LE ROY (Julien). THE RUINS OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MONUMENTS OF GREECE. A work divided into two parts: the first examines these monuments from a historical perspective, and the second from an architectural perspective.

LE ROY (Julien). THE RUINS OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MONUMENTS OF GREECE. A work divided into two parts: the first examines these monuments from a historical perspective, and the second from an architectural perspective. Paris, H.L. Guérin & L.F. Delatour; J.L. Nyon; Amsterdam, Jean Neaulme, 1758. 2 parts in one large folio volume, green vellum, gilt fillets on the covers, highly decorated ribbed spine, gilt edges (contemporary binding). FIRST EDITION dedicated to the Marquis de Marigny, the King’s Commissioner of Public Works. It is illustrated with 60 copperplate engravings based on Le Roy’s work: 24 views by Le Bas, 4 maps by Littret de Montigny, and 32 architectural depictions by Neufforge and Patte based on the author’s drawings. The first twenty-eight, depicting monuments populated by figures, are magnificently engraved from sketches made from life by the author during his journey in 1754. In this copy, they are in their “avant la lettre” state and hand-labeled in pen, a sign of the first printing and remarkable contrast. The binding shows wear, but the interior is in fresh condition. (Blackmer, no. 1009) (Brunet, III, 1003).