Description des principales pierres gravées du cabinet de S.A.S. Monseigneur le duc d'Orléans, premier prince du sang.

2 vol., folio: [32]-303, [4]-v-[3]-215-[5] pp.; 179 pl. (pp.153-156 (vol. 2) bound after p. 160, some pp. browned, spotted, stained and dampstained).

Contemp. half sheep, mottled paper covers, gilt-decorated spines with raised bands (sl. used).

1st and only ed. of this catalogue with ancient gems from the collection inherited by Louis Philippe Joseph, duc d'Orléans (1747-1793), later owned by Catherine II of Russia and exhibited in the Hermitage Museum. The work praised for its engravings by Augustin de Saint-Aubin, has a frontispiece portrait after Ch. N. Cochin, 58 head- and tailpieces and 179 pl., with each gem beautifully engraved on a separate plate. An "Explication" gives an iconographical analysis of the illustrations.
Ref. Sinkankas 3734. - Cohen 542-543. - Cicognara 2801.