Pierre-François Piétresson de Saint Aubin - Promenade aux cimetières de Paris, aux sépultures royales de Saint-Denis, et aux catacombes - 1816

[Pierre-François Piétresson de Saint-Aubin]

Promenade to the cemeteries of Paris, to the royal sepulchers of Saint-Denis, and to the catacombs.

Paris, at C.L.F. Panckoucke, s.d. [circa 1816].

1 volume in-12 (18 x 10.5 cm), bradel binding (period binding), smooth spine, title piece in morocco, [4]-ii-6-243 pages. 1 plate missing, 6 plates detached, 3 splits at the hinges, corners worn, some rubbing on the crowns and hinges, occasional foxing. Good overall condition.

Rare original edition illustrated with 29 plates (out of 30) including one folding plate, of this guide to the cemeteries which would experience a second enlarged edition in 1825. With the physical description of the cemeteries of Montmartre, of Vaugirard and of Père Lachaise and mention of the most famous tombs; one chapter devoted to the Sainte-Catherine cemetery (at the Gobelins) on the verge of disappearing; the Basilica of Saint-Denis and its royal tombs are the subject of a long develop­ment; the book ends with a topic rarely treated at the time: the description of the catacombs (history of their creation, entrances, access modalities, itinerary).

Rare copy.