TURGOT (Michel-Étienne). Louis BRETEZ. Lot n° 88

Plan de Paris, commencé l'année 1734, dessiné et gravé sous les ordres de messire Michel-Étienne Turgot. S.l. [Paris], 1739. Large folio, fawn basane, original brown calf first board with the arms of the city of Paris rebound, smooth mute spine (Modern binding). First printing of the "Turgot's plan", the most famous plan of Paris and one of the most beautiful bird's eye view maps, composed of an assembly plan and 20 superb double page plates drawn by Louis Bretez and engraved by Claude Lucas. Leaves 18 and 19 are united in a single folded plate. In 1734, Michel-Étienne Turgot, Provost of the merchants of Paris from 1729 to 1740, asked for the realization of a new plan of the capital by concern of promoting the city, "modern project by its will to propose and impose in France and throughout the world the image of Paris, universal model of City-Capital", writes Pierre Pinon. The architect and cartographer Louis Bretez worked for two years on the very precise survey and drawing of this plan of Paris and its suburbs, and chose to use the so-called cavalier perspective, without distance points. In 1736, Claude Lucas was commissioned to interpret these plates with etching and burin and Aubin engraved the text. A few small marginal tears repaired, spotting to the binding. Boutier, n°219 - Pinon, 61.