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ALDE
41
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[HANCARVILLE (Pierre-François Hugues d’)].
See original version (French)
41
-
[HANCARVILLE (Pierre-François Hugues d’)].
See original version (French)
Estimate €500 - €600
Voluntary lot
Description
[HANCARVILLE (Pierre-François Hugues d’)]. Monuments to the Private Lives of the Twelve Caesars, based on a series of engraved stones from their reigns. At Caprées [Nancy], published by Sabellus [Leclerc], 1780. In-4, red morocco, triple gilt fillet, fleurons at the corners, smooth embossed spine, green title label, twisted cord on the edges, interior lace, blue silk linings and endpapers, gilt edges (contemporary binding). First edition of one of the most famous erotic illustrated works of the 18th century.
The volume is illustrated with a frontispiece and 50 plates depicting an equal number of erotic engravings. It was followed, four years later, by a sequel published under the title *Monuments of the Secret Cult of Roman Ladies*.
These cameos, presented as reproductions of ancient artefacts, are likely the invention of the author, Pierre-François Hugues, known as d’Hancarville (1719–1805), who drew inspiration both from the writings of Roman historians and from the ancient artefacts in the collection assembled by William Hamilton, the British ambassador to the court of Naples, who had directed the archaeological excavations at Herculaneum and Pompeii.
An elegant contemporary copy in red morocco leather from the finest print run under this date, with the title printed over eleven lines and long ‘s’s in the text.
Corners worn, minimal scuffing on the covers, slight loss of silk on the lining of the upper front endpaper, interior discoloured with a few scattered pinholes.
Pia, 882 – Cohen, 474 – Dutel, A-722 – Éros au secret, 157.
See original version (French)
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About the sale
Antique books – Alchemy & the occult sciences
Auction location
Auction time
11/04/2026 at 2:00 PM
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