Gardens-Versailles, Armorial Binding. SILVESTRE – LEPAUTRE – FÉLIBIEN. 104 Large copper Engraved Plates. Folio. 500x345 mm. Magnificent binding contemporary with the coat of arms of the Marquis of Mereville, full marbled brown leather, giltcoat of arms in the center of the plates, six ribs on spine with gilt title on red morocco insert, rich gilt decoration on the compartments, gilt edges. The volume contains:- 1 plan of Versailles, published by G. Demortain.- 12 plates drawn and engraved by Israel Silvestre, with plans, perspectives, views of the gardens and buildings, dated between 1664 and 1684.- 3 plates engraved by J. Lepautre.- 9 plates published by Jean Le Blond regarding the orangery and the stables, including a plan of the orangery garden with moving parts.- 1 small view of the large stable published by Langlois, glued on a support sheet.- 21 plates of sculptures, engraved by Gerard Audran or Gerard Edelinck, dated between 1679 and 1681.- 18 plates of fountains, engraved by J. Lepautre dated between 1673 and 1679.- 2 large plates of fountains, one by Charles-Louis Simonneau from a painting by Jean Cotelle, 1689, the other drawn and engraved by Louis de Chastillon, 1683.- 9 plates of busts on columns, by J. Lepautre, 1674.- 6 plates of flower vases and 2 of sphinxes, by Lepautre, 1672-1673.- FÉLIBIEN, André. Déscription de la Grotte de Versailles, Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1679, Title page with large engraved typographic brand and royal coat of arms, 11 pages, 20 plates engraved by Lepautre, Picart, Chauveau.- 2 unsigned plates, depicting the interior and cross-section of the Royal Chapel. Very rare and important source of art on the Palace of Versailles. Volume in splendid contemporary binding with coat of arms of the Marquis of Merenville. Among the works in this collection we highlight:- The 'Description' of Felibien, particularly valuable as a pictorial testimony since the Grotto was demolished in 1684 to make way for the new southern wing of Versailles. The Grotte de Thétys, designed by Charles Perrault, was an integral part of the iconography of the palace and gardens of Versailles. The twenty plates are: a plan, an external view and some plates detailing the statuary and shell and coral decoration of the interior. Millard: “It was designed to represent the climax of the astrological myth of the entire garden, the completion of Apollo's solar course and his return to rest in this underwater cave. The grotto was a marvel of technical innovation. Félibien considered it to be a completely successful imitation of nature by art. The creation lasted only twenty years. It was destroyed in 1684 to be replaced by Mansart's north wing of the palace. However, its unique beauty is preserved with this recording by Félibien.”- The statues depicted by J. Le Pautre, 1618 – 1682, older brother of the architect Antoine Le Pautre and father of Jacques Le Pautre: among these we mention 'Persée; Andromède' located in the gardens of Versailles.- The large plate 'Marais Artificiel, entouré de Joncs d'airain, et de Jets d'eau', designed and engraved by Isr. Silvestre in 1680. I. Silvestre, 1621 – 1691, prolific French engraver, teacher, publisher and designer, left many drawings and over a thousand engravings. Among these precious testimonies of Versailes' architecture and sculptures as well as the famous parties that were held in the palace.Volume of prestigious provenance, which belonged to the Marquis of Mereville, councilor in the Paris Parliament, whose emblem, with the pelican and 2 suns moving from the corners, is printed in gilt in the center of the plates.