Cours d'architecture, our traite de la decoration, distribution & construction des batiments; contenant les lecons donnees en 1750, & les annees suivantes.
Paris: Chez Desaint, 1771-1777. First edition. 8vo. Six text volumes: xxxiv, 478, (1, errata); lxiv, 468, (4, approbation); cii, (2, advertisement & errata), 460; cxiv, (2), 431, (1, approbation); xxxii, 504; xxvii, (1, errata), 519, (1, advertisement) pp. Three volumes of plates: 377 engraved plates, many folding. Blondel (1705-1774) was the most influential teacher of architecture in eighteenth century France; this work includes three volumes of theoretical and three volumes of practical observations, accompanied by three volumes of exquisite engraved illustrations. Brunet I, p. 977: "Le deux derniers volumes du texte de cet ouvrage et le troisieme des planches sont de P. Patte." Graesse I, p. 441. Fowler 51. Contemporary French calf (rubbed), marbled endpapers, spines richly gilt with ornaments and rules between raised bands, leather spine labels (most chipped, some losing lettering), all edges red. Attractive copy. (2590). Item #55902
Price: $5,500.00