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, of a noteworthy collection, devoted primarily to Italian art and sculpture. Bourlat de Montredon (?-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 Piranesi. The descriptions offer occasional notes on... More

Lithograph frontis. port. of the collector. 2 p.l., 14, [2], 166 pp. 8vo, attractive antique half-calf paste-paper boards, red morocco lettering-piece on spine, spine gilt. Paris: J.S. Merlin, 1824.

The uncommon sale catalogue of Hurtault (1765-1824), Architecte du roi, member of the Institut, and inspector general of public works, who conducted significant restorations of the Tuileries and Fontainebleau. He was especially interested in English architecture — demonstrated by the numerous British books in his collection — and designed several gardens in the English style, including one at Fontainebleau.

This was one of the finest professional libraries of architecture of the early 19th century and its... More

10 (of 12 pp., lacking title) & two leaves of cont. manuscript annotations. 8vo, 19th-cent. semi-stiff marbled boards (spine rubbed), spine gilt. [Paris: A. Jombert, 1758].

A very rare sale catalogue, priced throughout and with many buyers’ names in a contemporary hand on the interleavings, as well as prices for items “sans numéro” not included in the printed catalogue. Le Lorrain (1715-59), painter, influential furniture designer, and architect, spent his formative years in Rome, where he developed an early Neo-classical architectural style, derived from Piranesi. In 1747, Le Lorrain returned to Paris and secured the patronage of the comte de Caylus. The Russian empress... More

1 p.l., vi, 40 pp. 8vo, antique marbled paper wrappers. Paris: Bréart & Lebrun, [“1811“ supplied in manuscript].

The very rare auction catalogue, fully priced and oftentimes with buyers’ names in a contemporary hand, containing a rich library on architecture and engineering. Raymond (1742-1811), chief architect of the Louvre and one of the original architects of the Arc de Triomphe selected by Napoleon, won the Grand Prix of the French Académie d’Architecture in 1766 and completed numerous projects throughout France. He began as a pupil of Blondel and Soufflot, and spent eight years in Italy, where he became an admirer of Palladio... More

1 p.l., 288 pp. Large 8vo, orig. printed wrappers bound-in cont. dark green half-morocco, cloth sides, spine gilt, t.e.g. London: 1874.

A handsome copy, ruled in red with prices in a contemporary hand. Tite was a noted architect whose principal work was the remodeling of the Royal Stock Exchange (1844). He was a strenuous opponent of the Neo-Gothic style as practiced by Sir George Gilbert Scott (see D.N.B.). “Among the contemporaries of Henry Huth was a notable bibliophile, the enthusiastic architect Sir William Tite (1798-1873), whose fine and valuable library brought nearly 20,000 pounds, a large sum for the early... More

Engraved allegorical frontis. 1 p.l., vi, 93 pp. 8vo, attractive antique calf-backed marbled boards, spine gilt, red morocco lettering piece on spine. N.p.: 1751.

First edition. Bachaumont (1690-1771) was an influential noble who grew up at the court of Versailles during the height of its significance as the political and cultural nucleus of France. He frequented the salons of Paris and was entangled in several controversies, one in particular regarding a journal filled with gossip ascertained at the salon of Madame Doublet de Persan, for which he may have been partially responsible. By the end of his life, he was known... More

Royal coat-of-arms on title & floor plan on verso, both woodcut. 16 pp. Small 8vo, cont. marbled wrappers (extremities a little frayed). Paris: Chardon, 1768.

[bound with]:

(—). Les Raretés qui se voyent dans l’Eglise royale de S. Denis; avec des Remarques curieuses. Woodcut royal coat-of-arms on title. 16 pp. Small 8vo. Paris: Chardon, 1768. More

Two fine allegorical frontis., five engraved plates (3 are folding), 65 engraved vignettes in the text, & four folding printed tables. 4 p.l., 160, 42, [2] pp.; 2 p.l., 160 pp. Two vols. in one. Large 4to, cont. marbled calf (lower cover with two small gouges), sides ruled in gilt, spine nicely gilt, green morocco lettering pieces on spine. Amsterdam: M.M. Rey, 1775.

First edition in French (1st ed., in Russian: St. Petersburg, 1774), edited by Diderot, and a very handsome copy with 65 delightful engraved vignettes. Betskoi (1704-95), social reformer, served at the highest levels of government for much of his long life. He also spent... More

[Klein-Schwechat: 1881].

An elaborate album of photographs of drawings of the celebrated brewery at Klein-Schwechat, founded in 1632, and today one of the leading breweries of Austria, producing a lager, a light smooth premium beer called Hopfenperle, and a super-premium called Steffl. The album was prepared for the renowned Viennese brewer August Deiglmayer (1827-83), who was at that time, managing director of the brewery and one of the great innovators of 19th century brewing. Deiglmayer spent much of his professional career at the Klein-Schwechat brewery.

The drawings were executed at the request of Georg Wieninger (1832-87), scion of the Schärding family of... More

Woodcut printer’s vignette on title, two engraved head-pieces, one folding engraved plate with two images (sometimes divided making two plates), & numerous engravings in the text. 4 p.l., 198, [12] pp. 12mo, cont. red polished morocco, triple gilt fillet round sides, gilt fleurons in each corner, spine nicely gilt, arms in gilt of Sébastian Le Prestre, Seigneur de Vauban on each cover (Olivier, pl. 343), a.e.g. Paris: the Widow of J.B. Coignard & the Son of Coignard, 1693.

Second edition (1st ed.: 1689), revised, with considerable additions. This is one of the best contemporary explications of Vauban’s “first system” of fortification... More

Two double-page plates & 80 engravings in the text. 8 p.l., 196, [16] pp. Folio, orig. carta rustica (covers a little soiled & spotted, first few leaves a little dampstained in outer lower corner). Rome: G.F. Buagni, 1696.

First edition and a fine fresh copy of this finely illustrated work on baroque hydraulics. Fontana (1638-1714), was the most important Roman architect of his generation.

This book “emerges from an actual design problem. The practical source for this theoretical work was the project for the raising of the water level of Lake Bracciano, necessary since the second fountain in Saint Peter’s square, built by Bernini under... More

12 lithographed plates. xxiv, 650 pp. Thick 12mo, cont. half-sheep & marbled boards, spine gilt. Munich: G. Franz, 1847.

First edition and rare. Hütz and Schmölzl were both members of the Bavarian artillery corps. This is a very complete treatise on the art of gunnery. The plates depict strategic placement of cannons and their correct defensive installations.

Nice copy from the Wittelsbach library of the dukes and kings of Bavaria. More