£400
VERTOT, RÉNÉ-AUBERT THE HISTORY OF THE KNIGHTS OF MALTA
With LXXI. Heads of the Grand Masters, &c.
Engraved by the best Hands in France, from the Original Paintings, Under the Inspection of Mons. Bologne, Director of the Royal Academy of Painting. With Maps by Mons. de Lille, and the Plans and Fortifications of Malta by the Chevalier de Tigne. And a compleat Index to the whole.
G. Strahan and others, London, 1728, two-volume folio set bound in full calf, with seventy engraved portraits and five engraved maps (four folding)
Bindings are in a fairly rough state, with covers affixed to spine only by their cords.
Volume I with engraved frontispiece portrait of Vertot, 46 further engraved portraits and three maps (two folding). First folding map (Carte des Payes ou Les Chevaliers de St. Jean de Jerusalem) with tears to edges, some discolouration, deeply set creases and a small hole to centre. Pages otherwise with spots of water damage, occasional tears to edges and dog-earing. Taped repairs in places. These flaws aside, they are of a nice bright character. A large loss to the bottom corner of page 425 (not effecting text). Penultimate endpaper apparently torn out and lacking.
Volume II - first endpaper torn at hinge and hanging insecurely. Some related later cuttings inserted loose. Pages generally fairly bright with light foxing and discolouration round edges. Occasional marks and tears to edges. Portrait of Claude de La Sangle with much browning/discolouration. One page apparently torn out between plate 50 (portrait of Jean Levesque De La Cassiere) and page 51, however pages are numerically correct. Some portraits foxed. 23 engraved portraits and two folding maps. Ends with colophon - "Books Printed for and Sold by George Strahan in Cornhill..."
Therefore, in total, with the inclusion of the portrait frontispiece of Vertot, 70 engraved portraits and 5 engraved maps (4 folding) are present.
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Room and Absentee Bids:
24% inc VAT*
Online and Autobids:
27% inc VAT*
