$12,500
Paris: s. n., 1739. Atlas folio, contemporary gilt-decorated mottled calf, gilt-stamped Arms of Paris, fleur-de-lis corner pieces and dentelles to front and back covers, spine gilt-decorated in ten compartments with raised bands, gilt-lettered red leather spine label, marbled endpapers. First edition of Turgot's mammoth bird's-eye view of Paris look to the Southeast, with a key map and 20 double-page map sheets (18 and 19 with large cartouche are joined and folded); the 20 sheets joined would form a map approximately 99 x 127 inches. In 1734, Michel Etienne Turgot, Prevot des Marchands du Paris from 1729-1740 (effectively the "Mayor"), approached Louis Bretez requesting a new map of the city. Having benefitted from relative prosperity in the Mississippi Bubble of 1719 and the Seven Years' War of 1750, Turgot hoped the map, which was to be as accurate as possible, would have commercial benefits in promoting the city, as well as pleasing the King. The task took several years to complete; Bretez's design was engraved by Claude Lucas. Closed repaired tears at folds of sheets 18/19 (the large fold-out sheet with the title cartouche); a few marginal brown spots and some light soiling; manuscript ex-libris to rear pastedown; loss to head and foot of spine and to part of the covers, replaced with matching calf; otherwise, internally, very good in a fine contemporary binding.
Auctioneer:
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers
Date:
2013-11-06
