Les ruines des plus beaux monuments de la Grèce [...].

2 pt. in one vol., lge folio: xiv-56, [2]-vi-28 pp.; 60 pl. (foxing, some pl. +/- browned, marg. damp stain to last pl. and ink staining on p. 25 of pt. II).

Contemp. half sheep, spr. paper boards, gilt-ruled spine with raised bands (very rubbed, joints split, head and tail missing, upper spine cracked). Untrimmed copy.

First edition of this magnificent work which remained a major source of information about Greek architecture for many years. Illustrated with 60 plates after Le Roy (1724-1806) and engraved i.a. by Le Bas. After visiting Greece in 1754, the French architect managed to publish his collection of drawings before James Stuart and Nicholas Revetts first volume of the "Antiquities of Athens" (1762). Although criticised by Stuart, the plates in this book are beautiful and Le Roy's treatise "provides the theoretical framework and many of the actual models for French neo-classical architecture" (Millard).
Ref. Atabey 709. - Millard 101. - Kat. Berlin 1888. - Cicognara 2705. - Cohen 627.
Prov. C.W.G.C. (ms. initials on title).