iv, 228 pp. Small 8vo, cont. mottled calf (expertly rebacked), spine gilt, red morocco lettering piece on spine. Paris; London; Amsterdam; Brussels: 1776.

The uncommon sale catalogue of Blondel de Gagny (1695-1776), one of the greatest art collectors of the 18th century. Blondel served as France’s general treasurer and later supervised the decoration of Louis XVI’s countless parties and feasts. He was a veritable tastemaker, who revived styles and schools that had been underappreciated for decades simply by displaying them in his house which was open to visitors. The sales of his estate are momentous events in the history of... More

99 pp. 8vo, attractive antique calf-backed paste-paper boards, spine gilt, red morocco lettering-piece on spine. Paris: Joullain, 1778.

The uncommon sale catalogue, fully priced throughout and with buyers’ names, of a noteworthy collection devoted primarily to Italian art and sculpture. Bourlat de Montredon (d. 1777), was an influential amateur and collector who resided in Constantinople for forty years.

The catalogue thoroughly describes 695 lots, many of which are composed of numerous items. Lots 579-671 are Bourlat de Montredon’s impressive group of books of prints, mostly focused on the architecture and decorative arts of Italy, including a number of works by... More

1 p.l., ii, 20 pp. 8vo (190 x 125 mm.), orig. printed wrappers bound in early 20th-cent. cloth-backed marbled boards, spine gilt. Paris: Chariot & Ch. Paillet, 1817.

A very scarce sale catalogue, fully priced and with a number of buyers’ names in a contemporary hand, apparently offering the fruits of this collector or dealer’s travels in the Netherlands. The title-page of the British Library copy bears an inscription that identifies the consigner as “Barbier, Md. de Tableaux,” but we cannot be certain whether this is the provenance for the entirety of the sale. This sale’s expert, Charles Paillet, notes... More

15, [1] p. 8vo (189 x 125 mm.), 19th-cent. red cloth (signed “Pierson”), title on spine. Paris: Lottin & Musier, 1762.

A rare and early art auction catalogue, fully priced in a contemporary hand, and bound by Pierson in the red percaline preferred by the Goncourt brothers. Chauvelin, marquis de Grosbois (1685-1762) and Louis XV’s secretary of foreign affairs, was exiled due to the machinations of his rival Cardinal Fleury in 1737 and spent his final years in Paris. He was one of the earliest clients of Watteau.

81 lots, with paintings attributed to or after Raphael, Giorgione, Guido Reni... More

48 pp. 8vo (215 x 140 mm.), cont. blue wrappers bound in 20th-cent. cloth-backed marbled boards, title on spine. Paris: Constantin & Henry, 1814.

A scarce auction catalogue jointly compiled by Constantin (1755-1816) and Henry (1766-1836). The announced owner, l’Espinasse de Langeac (d. 1814), was a minor dealer whose stock had constituted large portions of anonymous sales in 1808 and 1809. This is the final dispersal linked to him.

This catalogue contains 333 lots of paintings, drawings, prints, decorative arts, sculpture, and furniture. Among the varied array of pictures (lots 1-267), we find the work of Weenix, A. Bega, A.... More

1 p.l., 12 pp. 8vo (218 x 140 mm.), mid-19th century marbled boards (spine worn), spine gilt, uncut. Paris: Metzinger & Regnault-Delalande, 1813.

A very rare auction catalogue for the sale of Cossé-Brissac (1746-1813), count of the Empire, chamberlain to Napoleon’s mother, and politician. His remains were placed in the Pantheon. This was a mixed sale of paintings, drawings, sculpture, prints, and ceramics.

42 lots. It details 24 lots of paintings by Brueghel the Elder, Champaigne, Maratti, Rembrandt, Teniers, ter Borch, Vermeer, S. Vouet, Ph. Wouwerman, etc. Each entry provides a concise description, technical notes, and measurements.

In good condition... More

viii, 185 pp. Small 8vo, attractive antique calf-backed paste paper boards, spine gilt, red morocco lettering piece on spine. Paris: Muzier, 1772.

An uncommon catalogue describing the famed collection of the Crozat dynasty of collectors. Louis Antoine (1700-70), a general and sophisticated collector in his own right, was the son of Antoine Crozat (1655-1738), and the nephew of Pierre Crozat (1665-1740), both wealthy merchants — though Pierre was ironically known as “Crozat le Pauvre,” compared to his brother who was reputed to be the wealthiest man in Paris. Together, they patronized Watteau and other Rococo artists, and amassed one of... More

16 pp. 8vo (199 x 125 mm.), modern aubergine cloth, title on upper cover. Paris: Potier & Regnault-Delalande, 1819.

A very rare auction catalogue of primarily paintings, issued by the prolific expert François Léandre Regnault-Delalande (1762-1824); we locate no example of this volume in North America. This was Regnault-Delalande’s 300th public sale catalogue The seller’s first name is unknown, but Daguilan was secretary-general of the prefecture of the department of Deux-Nèthes, which comprised parts of present-day Belgium and the Netherlands.

72 lots, 68 of which are paintings lots. It includes works by Boullogne, A. Brauwer, J. van Goyen, Kalf, Lucas... More

38 pp. 8vo (209 x 138 mm.), loosely stitched, disbound. Paris: Olivier & Henry, 1814.

The very scarce catalogue of a Parisian painting restorer’s intriguing collection of pictures. Dufresne, whose first name is unknown, resided on rue Taitbout and then on rue Saint-Lazare. This catalogue’s foreword mentions that he has worked as a tasteful and able restorer for the past 15 years.

The catalogue describes 124 lots of paintings, including work of Albani, van Asch, Boilly, Bidault, J. Brueghel, van Bloemen, Marguérite Gérard, Drolling, van Goyen, de La Hire, Lantara, Poelenburgh, Swagers, Taunay, D. Teniers, Zurbarán, etc. The subjects in... More

Folding engraved frontis. & five engraved plates. 2 p.l., 2, 32 pp., [2], 33-103. 8vo, cont. half-sheep & marbled boards (rejointed & extremities rubbed), spine gilt. Edinburgh: Printed by J. Hutchison, [1833].

A famous sale with fatal results; it is clear that this copy survived the collapse of the floor on which the sale was held. John Clerk, Lord Eldin (1757–1832), was one of the leading Scottish lawyers of his time; “he acquired so extensive a practice that, it is said, at one period of his career he had nearly half the business of the court in his hands. As... More

viii, 32 pp. 8vo (212 x 138 mm.), modern aubergine cloth (a little sunned), title on upper cover. Paris: Félix & Regnault-Delalande, 1824.

A rare sale catalogue issued by the prolific expert Regnault-Delalande (1762-1824), describing the painter’s extensive collection. This copy is printed on large paper and begins with a valuable biography of the artist. Gounod (1758-1823) was a pupil of Lépicié; his first appearance at the Paris Salon was in 1799. His son Charles became a famous musician and composer.

192 lots. The catalogue describes paintings by S. Bourdon, Chardin, van Dyck, Gounod, La Tour, Miel, and Rembrandt; drawings... More

31 pp. 8vo (215 x 140 mm.), self-bound, stitched as issued, leaves uncut. Paris: Deschambeaux & Regnault-Delalande, 1823.

A very rare auction catalogue for the collection of an obscure engraver and print-dealer; we locate no copy in North America. We have not been able to identify Guiot or any of his works, but the entry for prints by him in this catalogue provides his birth and death dates (1790-1823) and reveals that he was taught by the engraver Fortier (presumably Claude François).

107 lots comprising an extensive collection (or stock) of prints by contemporary and Old Master artists.

A fine... More