Pierre Jean Grosley - Londres - 1774

Pierre-Jean Grosley – Londres – Lausanne, 1774 – 3 Volumes – Large Folding Map of London – Contemporary Gilt Leather Bindings

An attractive and richly detailed eighteenth-century description of London by the French historian and traveller Pierre-Jean Grosley (1718–1785).

Published in Lausanne in 1774, this enlarged edition provides a fascinating account of London and English society, including its history, architecture, commerce, institutions, customs, arts and intellectual life.

Of particular interest is the impressive large folding engraved map of London, Westminster and Southwark, showing the historic city, the River Thames, streets, squares, parks and numerous buildings in remarkable detail.

The work is illustrated throughout with small decorative ornaments at the beginnings and ends of chapters.

Bibliographical details:

- Author: Pierre-Jean Grosley
- Title: Londres
- Publication: Lausanne, 1774
- Language: French
- Volumes present: I, III and IV
- Volume I: 371 numbered pages
- Volume III: 375 numbered pages
- Volume IV: 393 numbered pages
- Dimensions: 17 × 10 cm
- Illustration: Large folding engraved map of London

Bindings and condition:

Three attractive contemporary full-leather bindings with raised bands, richly gilt-decorated spines, gilt titles and marbled endpapers.

The bindings show age-related rubbing and wear, particularly at the spine ends. The interiors appear generally clean and well preserved. The large folding map is present, with signs of age and handling along its original folds.

Provenance:

With the bookplate of Philibert Bruys des Gardes, a French lawyer and secretary to the Comte d'Artois, later King Charles X of France.

Completeness:

Volumes I, III and IV of the original four-volume edition. Volume II is missing. The pagination of the three surviving volumes corresponds to the bibliographical references.

An appealing eighteenth-century work, particularly desirable for collectors of historical London maps, travel literature, decorative leather bindings and books with interesting provenance.