M. Alex. Ducourneau - La Guienne historique et monumentale – Édition originale – 280 gravures - 1845

Original edition of this important historical and monumental publication devoted to Guienne, initially published in several installments and organized into four parts. This copy features the general title page dated 1845.

Very beautiful two-volume set in quarto, bound in green half-leather, spine with raised bands richly ornamented with gilded compartments and rules, gilt titles and volume numbers.

A work particularly sought after for its very rich iconography: the title page announces 280 fine engravings depicting the main monuments of the province, after drawings by various artists. Numerous lithographs in text-less plates, portraits, monuments, castles, churches, city views, landscapes and regional scenes.

The work covers notably Bordeaux and the Gironde, Périgord/Dordogne, Agenais and Lot-et-Garonne, Landes and Gers.

Among the many illustrations are, in particular, the Gate of the Palace and various monuments of Bordeaux, Michel de Montaigne, Montesquieu, Pierre Rode, the castle of Budos, the cathedral of Auch, Saint-Émilion, Cadouin, as well as numerous views today of particular interest for the history of regional heritage.

The original tables intended for the lithographic classification are present.

Condition: overall in good to very good condition for a book of this age. Uniform and very decorative bindings, with a few signs of normal use. Interiors generally well preserved and numerous lithographs particularly fresh and well contrasted. There are foxings scattered and some damp stains or halos on certain pages, with varying intensity, visible in the photos. Still, the set is very coherent and appealing overall.

The photographs are an integral part of the description.