Forez. DELAROA (Joseph) - Gallery of portraits... Lot 197

[Forez]. DELAROA (Joseph) - Gallery of portraits fore'siens : biography, arms, mottos. - Chevalier, Libraire-Editeur, 1869. in-8 [14 x18 cm], XVII-189 pages, green half-maroquin with corners, spine with 5 nerves decorated with an elegant gilt decoration, gilt head. First edition of this rare study, printed in small numbers on Montgolfier d'Annonay laid paper, with an engraved portrait of J. Janin inset (facing page 75), decorated bands and initials (3 of which are illuminated) in black. This selection of "illustrious" people of the former province of Forez is presented in alphabetical order, with for each character a biographical note, motto, coat of arms + mother's coat of arms etc. It opens with François de Beaumont, baron des Adrets. This work was published by the author based on the collection of prints he had gathered [currently at the Trentaize Mediatheque in St Etienne, in the collection bequeathed in 1894 by the library of St Etienne]. Beautiful copy in a fine contemporary binding, in perfect condition.