A Paris, chez Desenne, Gattey, Guyot et à Chantilly chez M. Hédouin, 1791.
8vo [217 x 134 mm] of (2) ll., 1 folding plan, 60 pp., 20 plates out of pagination. Full green morocco, gilt lattice pattern on the covers framed by gilt stars, spine ribbed and decorated with 5 red morocco gilt-rimmed medallions, red morocco lettering piece, gilt edges. Contemporary inlaid binding.
First edition and first issue of the 21 beautiful engravings of views of the gardens and buildings of Chantilly, one of the copies on large vellum paper.
Brunet, IV, 899.
It is illustrated with a folding plan and 20 mezzotint style plates by Mérigot et Fils.
“Nature and the arts seem to have contributed to Chantilly’s embellishment. There are very few places in France which gather so many objects of munificence and pleasure. The luxury and wealth of the buildings, the variety and beauty of the gardens, the abundance of waters, the brightness of the various points of views, the precious collections, rarities of many kinds… it is what encouraged us to offer a picture of it…” (Préface)
Mercier wrote in 1781:“I still have not found anything comparable to Chantilly around the capital. Thirty journeys in this enchanting place have not worn my attention out. It is the most beautiful marriage that art and nature have made”.
“The work published by Mérigot is illustrated with 20 figures very finely engraved in aquatint. It is the matching piece to the ‘Promenade ou Itinéraire des Jardins d’Ermenonville’”. (Bulletin Morgand et Fatout, n°7744)
A precious copy, from the first issue, printed on large vellum paper, preserved in its elegant and contemporary decorated green morocco binding.
It comes from The Honorable Lord Gray’s collection with ex libris.
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