GUIGNES (Joseph de); BARTHELEMY (Jean-Jacques). Memoir in wh - Lot 89

GUIGNES (Joseph de); BARTHELEMY (Jean-Jacques). Memoir in which it is proved that the Chinese are an Egyptian colony... Avec un précis du mémoire de M. l'abbé Barthélemy sur les lettres phéniciennes... A Paris, chez Desaint & Saillant, 1759. Small in-8, 79 p., pl., period sandpaper boards, garnet-red morocco title-piece on spine (corners and headpieces dulled, paper lac. on lower jaw; a few freckles). First collective edition of these two memoirs read at the assembly of the Académie royale des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres on November 14 and April 12, 1758 respectively. Illustrated with 2 copper-engraved folding plates by P. L. Charpentier, entitled "Alphabets phéniciens d'après les inscriptions & les médailles" and "Inscription phénicienne conservée à Malthe". Also included: - LE ROUX DESHAUTESRAYES (Michel-Ange André). Doutes sur la dissertation de M. de Guignes qui a pour titre : Mémoire dans lequel on prouve que les Chinois sont une colonie égyptienne... A Paris, chez L. Prault, Duchesne, 1759. Small in-8, [1] f., IV-89 p., [2] f. (privil., errata), pl., 19th c. green spotted half-percaline à la Bradel, black author's name throughout (rubbed edges, stains on title and p.18-19). Rare and interesting reunion of the thesis defended by De Guignes, and the controversy given shortly afterwards by the orientalist M.-A. Le Roux Deshautesrayes (1724-1795), professor of Arabic at the Collège Royal. The latter is illustrated with an engraved fold-out plate comparing ancient Chinese, modern Chinese and Phoenician characters. Total of 2 volumes.