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an open book with a drawing of a building and a clockan old book is sitting on a white surface with a white backgroundan open book with a drawing of a building on it
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106 - ANDROUET DU CERCEAU (Jacques)
See original version (French)

Estimate €1,500 - €3,000
Sale commission
Description
ANDROUET DU CERCEAU (Jacques) Paris, Jacques Androuet du Cerceau, 1579–1607. The First [– the Second] volume of the most excellent buildings in France. 2 parts in one folio volume (42.4 x 32 cm), brown calfskin, with two gilt fillets on the covers, ribbed spine decorated with gilt motifs (contemporary binding). 8 folios, 64 plates; 7 folios, 61 plates. First edition for the second part. ‘Du Cerceau sings not of the “great deeds” of the prince and his valiant men, but of the “great buildings” of the Valois and their entourage. The heroes are the owners or patrons—the king, the Constable of Montmorency, the Marshal of Saint-André—and not the architects, who are named only in exceptional cases’ (Yves Pauwels, University of Tours).   The volume is entirely mounted on tabs and contains 125 double-page copper-engraved architectural plates, some of which feature several figures engraved on separate plates.   The binding is very worn, with some losses, but remains sound. A few plates are slightly creased along the centre fold, with some light soiling and a few rare foxing spots; very small wormholes affecting three plates. A minor corner loss of paper on one plate, which is not serious.   Bibliography Pauwels (online, states: Complete copy following comparison with David Thomson’s publication (Les Plus excellents bastimens de France par J.-A. du Cerceau, Paris, 1988) and with the two other copies held by the École des Beaux-Arts.) Also matches the digitised copy held by the BnF.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale Books, Manuscripts & Antique Engravings, including the José Luis Dotti Library
Auction location
Auction time 09/23/2026 at 2:30 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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