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two views of a bridge over a body of water with a bridge in the backgroundan old book with a brown cover sitting on top of a tablean old book with a black and white title on itan old book with a black and white title on itan old map of the area in the middle of the picturea drawing of a submarine and a drawing of a submarinea drawing of a plan of a bridge over a rivera drawing of a boat in the water and a picture of a boat in the water
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Premium Maître Paul PASTAUD

64 - LALANDE (Joseph-Jérôme Lefrançois de). On Navigation Canals,…
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Estimate €6,000 - €7,000
Sale commission
Description
LALANDE (Joseph-Jérôme Lefrançois de). On Navigation Canals, and in Particular the Languedoc Canal. Paris, Desaint, 1778. Folio, marbled calfskin, decorated ribbed spine, double gilt line on the edges (contemporary binding). Illustrated with 14 plates, including 5 fold-out plates engraved by Ransonnette and La Gardette. A few rare leaves are browned and have marginal water stains. First edition of one of the finest 18th-century works devoted to inland navigation. Turning his attention temporarily from astronomy to civil engineering, J. J. Lefrançois de La Lande (1732–1807) wrote this comprehensive treatise on inland navigation. Devoting a third of the work to the Languedoc Canal, he praises this exemplary achievement which, upon its opening in 1685, attracted engineers from across Europe, and which today inspires admiration and pride in the face of the unprecedented challenge and audacity of its designers. A fine copy bearing the coat of arms of Charles-Philippe d’Albert, Duke of Luynes and Chevreuse, Count of Montfort and Tours (1695–1758), stamped in the centre of each of the spines’ panels. He served successively as a cavalry field marshal in 1717, was admitted to the House of Peers of France in 1723 and was made a Knight of the King’s Orders in 1748. (O.H.R. pl. 1846.)
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About the sale MONTIGNAC – 31st BOOK SALE – Day 1 of 4 – Nos. 1 to 549
Auction location
Auction time 08/19/2026 at 11:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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