SAINT-NON, Jean Claude Richard, l'abbé de (1727-1791) - Voyage pittoresque ou description des royaumes de Naples et de Sicile. Paris: Clousier, 1781-86.   A copy in contemporary binding of the first edition of one of the most celebrated illustrated books of the 18th-century. First state with plates 87-88 of the third volume numbered as 24bis and 15. The 304 (of 305) engraved plates include 15 maps, plans and views; often two illustrations are engraved on the same sheet, but most of the plates are of large format. Jean-Claude-Richard Saint-Non was a French draftsman and engraver; great lover of art, he devoted himself to drawing and engraving, perfecting himself in etching and aquatint. He traveled to England and Italy and his friendship with Fragonard and Hubert Robert led him to transcribe the sketches and drawings of views and landscapes collected during the trip in aquatint.   5 volumes, folio (495 x 324mm). Half-titles and titles with engraved vignettes in each of the five volumes after Jean Honoré Fragonard and engraved by Augustin de Saint-Aubin, engraved dedication to Queen Marie Antoinette, finely engraved headpieces and elegant cul de lamps, some in contemporary handcolouring, a full-page illustration of Vesuvius on the recto of 3F2, 304 (of 305) engraved plates including that of the Phallus often lacking, some plates with the number corrected by hand, in vol. II the leaves *1 and *1-5 sometimes bound at end are bound after p. 76 and 108 (lacking plates 43 depicting Torre del Greco in vol. I, slightly browned, a few and occasional small spots, sporadic tears and minimal wear, vol. 3 with light staining to the upper margin). Contemporary mottled calf, spines and plates decorated in gilt, gilt inlays and edges, marbled endpapers (somewhat worn, lower corner of first chipped, scuffed and rubbed, joints weak). (5)

Estimate € 1,800 - 2,500

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