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an old book on a white surface with a white backgroundan open book with a picture of a boat on ita picture of a book with a picture of a river in itan open book with a drawing of a man standing on a rock in the middle of a river
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85 - B - MERIGOT, son of GIRARDIN.
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Estimate €500 - €600
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Description
MERIGOT, son of GIRARDIN. A Walk or Guide to the Gardens of Ermenonville. Paris: Mérigot Père, 1788. In-8, (4)-68 pp. with wide margins, 25 plates numbered 0 to 24 and a double plate of musical notes printed on azure paper. Contemporary fawn-coloured speckled half-basane, smooth spine, red morocco title label with gilt title (upper cap slightly worn, spine rubbed, corners blunt, some marginal foxing). A rare print of the first edition. This volume features a variant of the title page, clearly intended for copies from one or more special print runs: it bears no price indication, is adorned with a small vignette depicting a ‘ruin’ framed by two trees, and mentions only Mérigot père as the bookseller in the imprint (according to The Morgan Library & Museum). The other printings from 1788 bear the address: Paris, at Mérigot père, Gattey and Guyot, and Ermenonville, at Murray’s. Laid out by René de Girardin from the 1760s onwards, Ermenonville became one of the most famous examples of the French landscape garden. Its history remains closely linked to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who was hosted by Girardin in 1778. The philosopher spent the last weeks of his life there and was buried on the Île des Peupliers, where Girardin had his tomb built. Illustrated with 25 aquatints drawn by Mérigot the Younger after sketches by the Girardin family, they depict the gardens, their ornaments and the main buildings of the Ermenonville estate, along with its landscaping, as they appeared in the late 18th century. DESERTS. The two music sheets for the *Chanson du Berger de la Grotte verte* (Song of the Shepherd of the Green Grotto), with lyrics and music by the Marquis de Girardin, are printed on azure laid paper. Cohen, 704. Morgan Library and Museum, PML 195837.
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About the sale Books & Manuscripts
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Auction time 10/30/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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