BOUILLART (Jacques). History of the royal abbey... Lot 5

BOUILLART (Jacques). History of the royal abbey of Saint Germain des prez. Paris, Grégoire Dupuis, 1724. In folio, marbled calf ép., decorated nerves back. First edition illustrated with a title vignette, 2 headed vignettes and 24 engraved plates (3 plans including 1 double; 17 plates depicting tombs, altars, relics; 4 views of the abbey including 2 doubles by Chaufourier). First biography dedicated to the royal abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Transformed into a saltpetre refinery in 1794, twelve tons of powder stored there exploded, destroying the work of the architect Pierre de Montreuil (ca 1200-1267), also known as Pierre de Montereau, as well as the antique cabinet and the library. Fortunately, the books were spared. A collection of supporting documents (charters, papal bulls, letters from the bishops, obituaries and the old customs of the abbey) constitutes the last part of the work. Worn caps, jaws and corners, qqs rubbed; very legible wet in the upper margin. Very good interior condition. (Mareuse, 11364; Lacombe, 1945; Cohen, 181.)