BOCCACE. The Decameron. London Paris, 1757-1761.... Lot 42

BOCCACE. The Decameron. London [Paris], 1757-1761. - 5 volumes in-8, 218 x 139 : title-frontispice, portrait, viij, 320 pp., 22 plates ; title-frontispice, 292 pp., 22 plates ; title-frontispice, 203 pp., 22 plates ; title-frontispice, 280 pp., 22 plates ; title-frontispice, 269 pp. Tan calf, triple gilt fillet framing the boards, spine gilt, inner gilt roulette, gilt edges (period binding). Cohen, 160-161. "One of the most successful illustrated books of the entire 18th century" (Cohen). There were two editions in 1757, one in Italian with the 5 volumes at the same date, the other in French, dated 1757 and 1761. They have a different collation but contain the same figures. The latter consist of a portrait of Boccaccio, 94 culs-de-lampe, 5 title-frontispices and 110 engraved plates after compositions by Gravelot, Boucher, Cochin and Eisen. A fine copy in contemporary binding. The plates of volumes 2 to 4 are marked on the verso with an initials "indicating that they are the first proofs inserted from the beginning in copies of this edition" (Cohen). Very skilful restorations to the bindings. Some rare foxing and browned leaves.