Labyrinte de Versailles
Paris: De L'Imprimerie Royale, 1679.
Willem Swidde. Second Edition. Hardcover (Vellum). Good Condition. Item #045233
Contemporary full mottled calf, gilt with arms of Louis XIV to both boards and royal cipher to spine; a slightly bungled stamp to the boards, but a nice job on the spine but still very clearly the arms of Louis XIV (1638-1715) and a nice association of binding and book. Dry and cracked, hinges weak but holding. Tide mark to bottom corner of the volume, heavy at the beginning, largely effecting the text, but lightly to the plates as well. On Perrault's advise, Louis XIV included 39 fountains in the gardens of Versailles, each illustrating one of the fables of Aesop. The 41 plates here are of the 39 fountains, plus a map of the garden and a view of the entrance. The first edition was published in 1677, later editions followed in Dutch, English, etc.. Tchemerzine - Volume 9/10, 167, Brunet III, p.723 (the 1st edition).
Provenance: Louis XIV Armorial binding with royal cipher in spine compartments and crown and fleur de lis on the front cover. Later PAW bookplate inside front cover. Size: Quarto (4to). Illustrator: Willem Swidde. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: 1-2 kilos. Category: Myths, Legends & Folklore; Antiquarian & Rare. Inventory No: 045233.
Price: $3,000.00