Henri Philippe de Limiers (Docteur en Droit)/I. Gouwen (d'après les mentions sur le frontispice et - [SUÈDE / BELGICANA] LIMIERS – Histoire de Suède sous Charles XII (1721) – 6/6 vol. in-12 illustrés – - 1721

[SWEDEN / BELGICANA] LIMIERS – History of Sweden under Charles XII (1721) – 6/6 volumes in 12mo illustrated – Provenance MARQUIS DE GAGES (Mons)

History of Sweden under the reign of Charles XII, where the Revolutions occurring at different times in this Kingdom are also seen; All the Great North War, and the Ascendancy of the Queen & the reigning King to the Crown, up to the present. By M. DE LIMIERS, Doctor of Law.

Original Amsterdam edition, at Jansons Waesberge, 1721. Complete set in 6 volumes in 12mo.

Complete and rare series of this fundamental historical work dedicated to the Great Northern War, the epic reign of Charles XII of Sweden and his confrontation with Peter the Great of Russia.

Authored by Henri Philippe de Limiers and published in Amsterdam during his lifetime/just after Charles XII’s death, this work details the rise of Swedish power, the election of Stanislas Leszczynski in Poland, the campaigns in Russia, the siege of Stralsund, the stay in Bender, and the Battle of Poltava.

Prestigious provenance (Belgicana / Hainaut):
A volume from the famous library of François-Bonaventure-Joseph du Mont, Marquis de Gages (1739–1787) in Mons, Grand Master of the provincial Freemasonry of the Austrian Netherlands and one of the greatest Belgian bibliophiles of the 18th century. Each volume bears his etched armorial bookplate of the period ("De la Bibliothèque de Mr. LE MARQUIS DE GAGES") pasted on the front pastedown.

Illustration & Iconographic Content:

The work is generously illustrated with numerous engravings hors-texte and folding plates:
Geographic folding maps: Scandinavia, Sweden, Denmark, theater of the Great Northern War.
Battle plans & folding panoramic views: Views of Saint Petersburg, battles of Narva, Poltava, crossing of the Dvina/ Düna, sieges of Stralsund, Poznań, Tonningen and the encampment at Bender in Moldavia.
Numismatics & Portraits: Numerous engravings of commemorative medals struck under Charles XII and portraits of the protagonists (Charles XII, Peter the Great, Stanislas I, Baron de Görtz).

Technical Sheet:

Author: Henri Philippe de Limiers (Doctor of Law)

Publisher: Chez les Jansons Waesberge, Amsterdam

Year of publication: 1721 (Original edition)

Format: 12mo (16.5×10 cm)

Collation: 6 complete volumes (Volumes I to VI)

Binding: Contemporary full morocco marble leather, spine with 5 raised bands decorated with compartments and gilded spandrels, morocco title labels and volume labels, red edges original.

State of preservation:

Bindings: Very good overall for the period. Sturdy bindings, joints and headbands well preserved with minor wear typical of a book over 300 years old. Gilding on the spine well preserved.

Interior: Interior in good fresh condition on rag paper, complete with all leaves. The folding maps and views are well preserved. Armorial bookplates perfectly preserved.