DESGODETS (Antoine). Les édifices antiques de Rome, dessinés - Lot 86

DESGODETS (Antoine). Les édifices antiques de Rome, dessinés et mesurés très exactement... New edition. A Paris, chez C. A. Jombert fils aîné, 1779. In-folio, [1] f. (engraved title), XI-140 p., pl., half blond basane with corners circa 1800, spine with 6 nerves, gilt fleurons, red edges (spine rubbed, headband and headband torn off, corners and edges worn; russeting and small rubbing to engraved title; slight marginal browning; tear repaired front board p.91; text page 7-8 short margin seems to have been removed. Sumptuous collection, illustrated from drawings made by the author during a stay in Rome in 1676-1677. At Colbert's request, and at the king's expense, the work was published in 1682, and was illustrated by the best architectural engravers of the period, in particular Lepautre, Leclerc and Marot. Antoine Desgodets (1653-1728), the king's architect from 1699, held the position of controller of the king's buildings, then taught at the Académie royale d'Architecture. This "major work of Western architecture" was highly praised from the outset. This "New Edition" is in response to demand from enthusiasts; it simply consists of a new edition of the original plates, with a title page whose address and date have been changed. (Cf. O. Medvedkova, R. Carvais, Les édifices antiques, on Desgodets.net, April 14, 2013). The illustration consists of an engraved title and 137 plates, some double, all engraved on copper from drawings by Desgodets. Provenance: Count of Borch-Lubeschitz (or Luberschütz), most probably Michael von der Borch-Lubeschütz, Baron von Borchland (1753-1810), Polish lieutenant-general, builder of Werkland Castle (Latvia): engraved armorial bookplate dated 1790.