Histoire des chevaliers hospitaliers de S Jean de Jérusalem, appellez depuis les chevaliers de Rhodes. Et aujourd'hui les chevaliers de Malte.

4 vol., 4to: front.-[12]-696, [2]-719, [2]-535-[1 bl.]-4-[2]-537/552, [2]-240-408-221-[1]-xx pp.; 68 (of 76) pl. (8 portraits missing; some portraits and ff. sl. browned, aii & aiii inverted in vol. I, some foxing in vol. I, marg. stain to p. 57 of vol. I, last ff. of vol. III bound in disorder, large sl. damp stain in of vol. IV).

Contemp. marbled calf, gilt orn. spines with raised bands, red edges (occ. traces of use).

First edition, "la plus belle et la plus estimée" (Saffroy), of this extensive study on the Knights Hospitaller since the beginning (1099) to 1725, by the Abbé de Vertot (1655-1735). Engr. ill. by Laurent Cars: portrait-frontispiece of the author, 4 headpieces and 62 (of 70) finely engr. full-page portraits depicting the Grand Masters with their arms, and other personalities of the Order. Furthermore, 1 full-page plan ("Rhodes") and 5 folding maps: "Villes, forts et châteaux de Malte", "Syrie et Chypre", "Iles Rhodiennes", "Iles de Malte, du Goze et du Cuming" and "Carte des pays ou les Chevaliers de St Jean ont porté leurs armes". Titles in red and  black.
Ref. Conlon 26:687 (= BL, BN, NUC). - Saffroy 5420. - Cohen 1011. - Cp. Caillet 11115.