Histoire d'Assyrie, ou Histoire des monarchies de Ninive, de Babylone et d'Ecbatane. Avec des vues sur la population de l'Asie. Ouvrage enrichi de cartes & de gravures.

2 vol., 8vo: xlviii-332-[4], 300 pp.; 7 pl. (occ. spotting more concentrated on 1st and last ff., soiling on half-title in vol. II, 2 pl. cut short shaving the caption).

19th-c. half calf, tree paper on boards, gilt-orn. flat spines with red and green labels, blue sp. edges (one headcap missing, corners sl. used). Good large-margined copy in a charming binding.

First edition of this interesting study on the first civilizations, attributed to Delisle de Sales (1741-1816), controversial French philosopher, accused of atheism in 1777 for his work "On the Philosophy of Nature". Ill. with 7 engr. fold. pl.: 1 map, 4 views of cities and monuments (Babylon, Tower of Belus, Hanging Gardens, the Kaaba in Mecca) and 2 large tables ("Chronologie des souverains de Ninive, de Babylone et d'Ecbatane" and "Tableau des variations entre les anciens historiens de l'Assyrie, depuis Ninus jusqu'à la mort d'Astiage"). Text printed in a typographical frame.
Ref. Barbier II:655. - Cioranescu 22824.
Prov. Seigneurs de Valenzi (armorial bookpl.).