Compiled in this one-of-a-kind catalogue are the most stellar and singular copies from more than 40 editions published in France and the Netherlands between 1716-1810, which were the combined effort of the most gifted illustrators, typographers, and publishers of the “Age of the Vignette”. These include six copies printed on parchment - two of which contain an additional suite, enlarged and hand painted in gouache - as well as original drawings by Le Barbier for the uncompleted illustration project for Didot, a further copy with gouaches that were personally certified by the castellan of St. Cloud, a number of copies with contemporary colouring, rare printing states, as well as an enchanting contemporary oil painting of a scene from the novel. 

A few select copies were elevated even further when they were furnished with masterful bindings by the finest craftsmen of the time. In these pages you’ll find examples of the fine dentelle works by Padeloup, Douceur and Derôme, painted white kid leather bindings, the elegant classicism of Bozérian, tooled cathedral-style bindings by Simier, as well as the sumptuous opulence of 19th century masters like Lortic, Cuzin, Trautz, and Marius Michel, and more.

With most copies coming from the libraries of important collectors and even royalty, this catalogue not only gives an overview of the novel’s publishing history, it also tells the fascinating stories behind the extraordinary copies in this collection. 

This monograph is merely the representative first glimpse at our expansive collection of French illustrated books of the 18th century, the full extent of which will be described in a forthcoming catalogue comprising at least ten volumes, which will be published over the next two or three years.