Jacques-Corentin Royou - Précis de l’Histoire ancienne – Seconde édition complète en 4 volumes, reliures plein veau dorées - 1811

Complete four-volume set of the “Précis de l’Histoire ancienne, d’après Rollin,” written by Jacques-Corentin Royou and published in Paris in 1811 by Volland aîné et jeune (elder and younger).

Second edition, carefully revised and corrected, of this historical work from the early 19th century, published under the First Empire.

The work traces the history of the great civilizations of Antiquity: Egyptians, Carthaginians, Assyrians, Medes, Persians, and Greeks, up to the Battle of Actium.

The collection is distinguished by its four elegant, uniformly bound antique bindings in full marbled calf, with smooth backs richly ornamented with gilded floral motifs, green letter-pieces and red tomaison pieces. The boards are framed by fine gilded borders.

Complete edition in four volumes, confirmed by the mention “fourth and last volume.”

Bibliographic pagination:

* Volume I: XVI + 446 + 1 pages.
* Volume II: 596 pages.
* Volume III: 495 + 1 pages.
* Volume IV: 608 + 2 pages.

That is approximately 2,165 pages in total.

Condition report:

The four volumes feature robust, solid bindings, remarkably withstand­ing more than two centuries. The covers retain a handsome overall appearance despite rubbing, minor wear, and typical signs of age, especially on the backs and at the headcaps. The gilding remains clearly visible and the whole preserves a very beautiful overall harmony.

The interior is exceptionally fresh for books dating from 1811. The paper is remarkably well preserved, the pages are clean, and the printing remains particularly sharp and legible. This internal freshness is one of the main assets of this old set.

A superb First Empire bibliophilic set, combining decorative period bindings, a complete collection, and a remarkable state of inner freshness.

Sold in four volumes, in accordance with the photographs.