Voyage Pittoresque de la Grece

First edition.2 volumes bound in 3(53x 34 cms).Folio. Half titles, 3 engraved titles,2 unnumbered doublé page maps in volume 1;one portrait of Choiseul Gouffier in third volume and 284 engraved plates and maps on 167 sheets( of which 8 doublé page or folding).Elaborate head and tail-pieces,one double page printed table.Including plate list and editor´s advert and author´s life semblance by Dacier.The work lacks page 348 on third volume and plate nr 70 in third volume(view of Constantinople). Uncut copy in its original uniform boards,printed labels on spine. A very handsome and clean copy of this seminal book on the archeology of Greece, it´s islands and Asia Minor.Based on Choiseul Gouffier´s own account of his travel in 1776 as member of marquis de Chabert´s expedition for mapping the Eastern Mediterranean.
Choiseul Gouffier was appointed french ambassador at Constantinople as a result of the success of his first volume. After the french revolution, he fled to Russia in 1792 and stayed there until 1802 when he returned to France.He started upon arrival the completion of his second volume that was published in 1809. The second part of the volume was finally completed by Barbie du Bocage and ultimately published in 1822 due to the passing of the author in 1817. This work was the french counterpoint to the Stuart and Revett magnificent work on the antiquities of Athens. Choiseul Gouffier paid keen attention to the study and design of temples, remains of the Ionian región, the islands etc. His ethnographical interests are represented in the many plates of greek and turkish costumes(dancing,daily life etc). A fine and attractive copy. Atabey 241,Blackmer 342,Cohen de Ricci 238,Weber II,571