LE HAY, Jacques (circa 1645-circa 1713). Collection... Lot 36

LE HAY, Jacques (circa 1645-circa 1713). Collection of one hundred prints representing different Nations of the Levant, taken from the paintings painted after nature in 1707 and 1708 by the orders of M. de Ferriol, Ambassador of the King at the Gate, and engraved in 1712 and 1713 by the care of M. Le Hay. With:] Explanation of the one hundred prints representing different nations of the Levant with new prints of Turkish ceremonies which also have their explanations. Paris: Jacques Collombat, 1714-1715. Superb copy with all the coloured and enhanced plates, in morocco of the period, subsequently struck with the arms of Charles-Alexandre de Lorraine, governor general of the Austrian Netherlands. The engravings were executed after the paintings of J.B. Van Mour. A Flemish painter, Van Mour had settled in Contantinople, probably around 1699, and remained there until his death in 1737. Together in this famous publication, they were then the main source of information on Ottoman costumes. Brother of Emperor Francis I, Prince Charles-Alexander of Lorraine was Governor General of the Austrian Netherlands (1741-1744 and 1749-1780), Grand Master of the Teutonic Order (1761-1780) and Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece. A wealthy and discerning bibliophile, he bought books in Venice and Florence and had them delivered to one of his three estates. Librarians were in charge of preserving and developing this collection. Several inventories of Charles of Lorraine's library had been made during his lifetime: at its peak, it consisted of nearly 9,000 volumes. It included two copies of this famous publication - an ordinary copy, in marbled calfskin, and this prestigious copy, with delicately coloured plates and enhanced with mica at the time, to reproduce the colourful ornaments and sparkling jewellery. C. Sorgeloos, "La bibliothèque de Charles de Lorraine, gouverneur-general of the Austrian Netherlands" In: Revue belge de philologie et d'histoire, tome 60, fasc. 4,