VOGUE, Melchior de (1848-1910) - William Henry WADDINGTON (1826-1894) - Syrie centrale. Architecture civile et religieuse du Ier au VIIe siècle. Paris: Noblet e Baudry, 1865.   First edition and probably first issue of this famous work dedicated to Syria. Vogüé and Waddington moved to Syria and Jerusalem in 1862 where they devoted themselves to research which then resulted in Vogüé's study of 1864 dedicated to the Temple of Jerusalem. Waddington left in 1862, but Vogüé remained with Duthoit, continuing searches in central Syria and Hawrān. The present work is the result of these researches and it is more commonly found on the market in the version published in two volumes between 1865-77 (with 152 tables and 3 maps).   This is probably a first version and the same one which was advertised in the publisher's catalogue announcing its forthcoming printing. The announcement refers to a work with 50 plates, albeit in two volumes. The most common version of the work is also edited by Vogüé together with the architect Edmond-Clément-Marie-Louise Duthoit (1837-1889) and it mentiones a different printer - Georges Chamerot instead of J. Claye - while this version only mentiones Vogüé and Waddington on the half-title.   4to (341 x 266mm). Half-title, 12 pp. of text and 151 plates numbered 1-150 with 92 bis, 4 of which double page (some slight foxing). Modern green half morocco decorated in gilt with title on red labels on spine, gilt edges, decorated endpapers (minor rubbing).

Estimate € 5,000 - 8,000